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ASEAN NOW

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  1. There are plenty of reasons to be happy about having the chance to experience Thailand up close. After all, Thailand is a culture trove like few others on earth. To add to that, friendly and easygoing people and mouth-watering Thai cuisines make the Land of Smiles one of the top destinations for digital nomads. All that being said, you should not forget about securing sufficient health insurance before you hop on the plane. For one thing, sufficient health insurance coverage is a requirement under the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa program. And though the quality of Thailand’s public healthcare services is commendable, expats can only access it by paying for it. Language is another reason why public healthcare is not always the preferred choice for expats in Thailand. What all that means is that, oftentimes, private healthcare is the best option for expats in Thailand, including digital nomads. Depending on your plans and situation, you should secure either a long-stay visa insurance plan or an international health insurance plan for your stay in Thailand. Our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand have shared with us their insights, which we’ll share with you here. 1. Long-stay visa insurance This option is for you if you plan on making Thailand your home for a long time. Long-stay visa (LSV) plans will cover you while in Thailand. If you need to be out of Thailand for brief periods, you will need to secure travel insurance to cover potential medical and repatriation expenses while out of Thailand. The main benefit of LSV plans vis-à-vis international health insurance (IHI) plans is that they often cost less for a similar level of protection. The downside, of course, is that every time you go on a trip, you need to make sure the travel insurance you secure is sufficient for your brief time outside Thailand. In addition, the medical coverage of travel insurance plans are often not as comprehensive as what you get under an IHI plan, and the time limit of coverage means you cannot receive long-term treatment outside of Thailand, even if such treatment is beneficial from a medical standpoint. 2. International health insurance If Thailand is only one of the countries you want to explore in the coming years, or you are not sure about your plans at the moment, then you should definitely consider securing an IHI plan. Not only will you be covered wherever you may be (but bear in mind particular countries may be excluded under your plan), the fact that your health plan gives you worldwide coverage also implies that you will have a more comprehensive coverage and wider treatment options even during brief trips outside your country of residence. There is also no need to undergo the underwriting process again, provided your plan has a lifetime renewal guarantee and you keep renewing your coverage. All in all, IHI plans are the “once-and-for-all” option that are also more expensive. You will still need travel insurance for brief trips abroad though, because these plans also protect you against property loss in accidents, theft, lost luggage or passport, and the like. Needless to say, whichever type of health insurance you decide to go for, you should carefully understand the terms and conditions of the plans on your shortlist, including those related to pre-existing conditions, renewal guarantees, waiting periods, etc. Looking for a health insurance plan that meets your needs as a digital nomad? Whether you’ve decided on securing a long-stay visa insurance or an international health insurance plan, look no further because Pacific Prime Thailand is your ideal partner! With more than 20 years of experience, Pacific Prime is well-positioned to apply their expertise and experience in health insurance to provide unbiased advice that only a leading global brokerage can. So, get in touch with Pacific Prime Thailand to discuss your needs, or for a free plan comparison today!
  2. On Wednesday, February 8th, H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, will be the keynote speaker on “The Environment and Thailand’s Tourism Business ” at the SKAL International Bangkok first Business Luncheon Talk of the year 2023. The event will take place from 11:30am-2:00pm at the Chartrium Residences Sathon, Narathivas 24. Mr. Silpa-archa will be discussing the importance of sustainable development and conservation efforts in Thailand in relations to Thailand’s Tourism. He will also be discussing the role of the private sector in these efforts and how they can work together to achieve a more sustainable future. “We are honored to have Mr. Silpa-archa speak at our first Business Luncheon event in the year 2023,” said James Thurlby, the President of SKAL International Bangkok. “His insights and expertise on sustainable development and conservation will be invaluable to our members and public.” The event will start with a networking cocktails reception at 11.30am, followed by a 3-course western set lunch including wine, beer and coffee. Price for members at 950 baht per person. Price for non-members at 1,590 baht per person. Public are most welcome to come along. For more information on the event or to RSVP, please email to [email protected] For membership application, please email to [email protected] Or visit website : www.skalbangkok.com About SKAL International Bangkok: SKAL International Bangkok is a global organization of travel and tourism professionals who come together to network, exchange ideas, promote the industry that benefits Thailand’s Tourism and public. The organization hosts monthly events featuring keynote speakers on a variety of topics related to travel and tourism at leading hotels in Bangkok allowing leaders and executives from various companies to see wonderful services of Bangkok’s hospitality. Skål International today has approximately 13,000 members in 318 Clubs throughout 96 nations headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain. For more information, please visit www.skal.org For Skal International Bangkok please visit: www.skalbangkok.com About the speaker: Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa graduated a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Collage London, United Kingdom and a Master of Business Administration majoring Finance from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States of America. He is leader of Chartthaipattana Party. Mr. Varawut dreams to work for the nation and continue the aspirations of his late father, Banharn Silpa-archa, the 21st Prime Minister of Thailand. Since 10 July 2019, he serves as Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha. Mr. Varawut works to improve environmental work in Thailand. His main goal is to free Thailand of plastic waste, which will bring Thailand into a new stage in environmental protection. He also was Deputy Minister of Transportation in 2008. He is now 49 years old.
  3. TAT provides attendees with the latest information on Thailand’s new tourism direction, marketing, product and service offerings, and much more. Phuket, 9 June, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) gave an update on Thailand’s tourism situation, its relaxed entry requirements, its visitor arrivals targets, its new marketing direction, and more, to delegates at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2022 which is taking place this week, from 8-10 June, in Phuket. Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing and Communications, said, “Thailand is open and ready to welcome tourists from around the world. Despite the long break the pandemic brought us, we have continued working and over these two years there have been many changes and adjustments in the tourism industry globally and in Thailand. So, we have come up with new directions and marketing communication concepts that are curated to cater to the current trends and make the most memorable visits for our tourists.” All the initiatives including the Special Tourist Visa (STV), Happy Quarantine, the Phuket Sandbox, and the Test & Go quarantine-free entry scheme in November 2021 paving the way to fully reopen and give a total visitor arrival count of 427,869 for the year 2021. For 2022, Thailand has set a target of 7-10 million international tourists and 160 million trips from the domestic market with tourism revenue generation of 1.5 trillion Baht. In the first five months of the year, international arrivals numbered 1.23 million. With the lifting of the Test & Go entry scheme from 1 May, 2022, and a further easing of entry requirements into Thailand effective from 1 June, 2022, TAT is expecting 500,000 international arrivals to the kingdom each month from June to September. During the high season of October to December, that number is forecast to jump to 1 million international arrivals each month. For 2023, the target tourism revenue is 2.4 trillion Baht and 3 trillion Baht in 2024. Determined to reboot Thailand’s vital tourism industry, the Royal Thai Government announced the “Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023” campaign in which travellers the world over are being invited to experience the “Amazing New Chapters” of Thailand. The campaign highlights the abundance of tourism products and services on offer in Thailand, as well as its cultural diversity and richness – all of which are able to fulfil the desires of travellers from A to Z, as Thailand has it all. Spearheading the “Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023” campaign, TAT is focusing on using “storytelling” marketing in order to enrich visitors’ tourism experience and self-value. NFT – or Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover – are the main highlighted products in the “Amazing New Chapters” communication efforts, while the feeling of Experience, Fun, and Love are what travellers will gain during their journeys in Thailand. A New TVC has been launched to present Thailand in a cinematic perspective. The importance of sustainable and responsible tourism is at the forefront of Thailand’s tourism promotion and marketing. Mr. Siripakorn said at the Thailand Product Update: “The pandemic gave us key learning lessons. What Thailand’s tourism industry needs to stay competitive and resilient in the long run is sustainability, in order to balance the economic, social, and environmental elements.” As such, the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model is being used to revive the tourism industry with the aim of safe, inclusive and sustainable travel. Conforming to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the BCG model is taking Thai tourism in a new direction, one that is in response to the changing global trends. TAT meanwhile is making Thailand one of the world’s top remote workers-friendly destinations, in response to the growing trend in light of the COVID-19 pandemic of people working remotely while on vacation. With a long-stay visa a priority issue for digital nomads, Thailand is in the process of launching the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa for four groups – wealthy foreigners, retirees, working foreigners, and specialists. There will be a one-time fee for an LTR visa of 50,000 Baht with a validity of 10 years. Health and wellness is one of the key areas to focus. There is a broad spectrum of programmes to offer from fitness, anti-aging, holistic to traditional treatments by professional specialists with world-class facilities and global standard accreditation present wellness resorts in several destinations; such as, Samut Prakan, Phuket, and Samui. Thailand is also continuing with its role as a top global destination for international events of various nature and size. As the APEC 2022 host, it is the venue for numerous APEC events throughout 2022, including the Eleventh APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and Sixtieth APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting in Bangkok from 14-20 August – the first time it will host an APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. Thailand will also push forward the APEC Policy Recommendations on Regenerative Tourism. The MotoGP motorcycle race is set to return this 30 September-2 October at the Buriram International Circuit while Laguna Phuket Triathlon, Southeast Asia’s longest running and most successful triathlon event, will be held on 20 November, 2022. From 15-18 November, 2022, TAT will host the TBEX Asia 2022 event for worldwide travel bloggers, content creators, and influencers in Phuket under the theme of “Diversity of the South: Phuket and Beyond”. Mr. Siripakorn concluded, “Thailand is on the stage of fully reopening, and we are ready to welcome everyone around the world back to the kingdom once again. With the Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023, we would like to open our home country to present some of the kingdom’s many fascinating tourism experiences and hope all travellers will not miss out.” -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-06-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Easiest way to own or rent a car in Thailand - click here to find out more!
  4. The inaugural Surf 102.5 FM Cup took place at Monkey & Field on June 5th. Five teams faced off in this 7 a side tournament with Black Mountain emerging as the winners. Both Black Mountain and Vanon Kanong won their first three matches, beating Nong Hoi, Hua Hin City A and Hua Hin City B. They faced off in the final game which was a winner takes all decider. Black Mountain made a strong start and were putting the pressure on the Vanon Kanon defenders. The breakthrough came when the team in white were awarded a free kick close to the right hand touchline. Phakin Calermkas, 9, is a master at dead ball situations and looked extremely confident. Sure enough he curled a left footed effort into the top right hand corned to give Black Mountain a 1-0 lead. Vanon Kanong started to press hard for an equalizer but were denied by some fine goalkeeping from Lev Duisterwinkel, 10. The atmosphere was tense as the game moved into injury time with Black Mountain desperately hanging on to a slender lead. But the contest was settled with the final kick of the game. Archie Wills, 10, burst through from centre midfield and had the composure to pick out Patrick Goyder, 8, who fired in from close range with the ball cannoning off the crossbar and into the back of the net. It was an impressive showing from Black Mountain who won all three matches without conceding a single goal. Vanon Kanong had to settle for the runners up trophy while Hua Hin City A finished in third place. Richard Buckle, from Surf 102.5 FM, said, “It was a very enjoyable morning and we are proud to support this event. The match between Black Mountain and Vanon Kanong was really dramatic and we are proud to support this event and to see so many children getting the chance to play competitive football.”
  5. Residents who consider the destination are significantly more likely to say that travel advertising on social media, travel websites and free-to-view TV channels grabs their attention Japan is reopening its borders to travellers from 98 countries and regions next month, after being closed to foreign tourists since 2020. Latest data from YouGov DestinationIndex shows that Japan is by far the top overseas travel destination on the minds of consumers in Thailand: over half say they would consider visiting Japan for their next vacation (49%). Meanwhile, almost three in five are considering a domestic holiday trip within Thailand (59%), and one in three are thinking of visiting South Korea (33%). More than half of consumers aged 25-54 are considering Japan for their next vacation, especially those aged 45-54 (56%). In comparison, just under half of the youngest consumers aged 16-24 (49%) and the oldest consumers aged 55 and older (48%) would consider travelling to Japan for their next holiday. Where then are travel advertisements most effective in targeting Thais considering Japan for their next trip? Latest data from YouGov Global Travel Profiles also reveals that Thais who are considering visiting Japan are significantly more likely than the average Thai consumer to say that travel advertising on social media, travel websites and free-to-view TV channels grabs their attention. Methodology: YouGov DestinationIndex collects data on hundreds of destinations around the world every day. All data are collected over a 52-week period and rounded to the nearest whole number. Learn more about YouGov DestinationIndex. YouGov Global Travel Profiles tracks consumer demand and attitudes worldwide towards travel across 25 markets, which is collected daily and updated bi-weekly. It offers a holistic view of the global travel market, including granular insights on brand consideration, preferred locations, booking methods, accommodation and transportation preferences. Learn more about YouGov Global Travel Profiles.
  6. Skal International Bangkok is delighted to present an exceptional guest speaker for the upcoming Business Luncheon Talk on Tuesday 14th June 2022: Korn Chatikavanij, former Minister of Finance. Venue and Time: 11:30 am 14th June 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel Speaker: Korn Chatikavanij, politician, best selling author, and former investment banker TOPIC: Thailand's Economy Direction for Thailand Tourism in 2022-2023 Join for the very latest insights and an expert perspective of what to expect of Thailand’s important tourism sector. Enjoy a 4-course western set lunch with wine, beer and coffee. For Skal members Baht 950 Non-members are most welcome at Baht 1,650 For young Skal only Baht 500 per person. (Aged 20-30 years old) For reservations : [email protected] The luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit will be a popular gathering and advance reservations are strongly advised. Speaker Bio: From 2008 to 2011, Korn Chatikavanij was finance minister under democrat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. In January 2020 he left the democrat party to form his own Kla party. As party leader Korn Chatikavanij, is considered to be a future potential prime minister with the younger entrepreneurial generation. Born in London and educated at St John’s College Oxford this 58 year old Thai politician has a unique understanding of macro economics and is no stranger to public speaking and is widely regarded, articulate and knowledgeable Skål International today has approximately 13,000 members in 318 Clubs throughout 96 nations headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain. For more information, please visit www.skal.org For Skal International Bangkok please visit: www.skalbangkok.com About Skal International: Skål International is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world. Founded in 1934, Skål International is an advocate of global tourism and peace and is a not for profit association. Skål does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, religion or politics. Skål is focused on doing business and business networking in the company of fellow professionals in an atmosphere of friendship. The Skål toast promotes Happiness, Good Health, Friendship, and Long Life. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. https://skalbangkok.com/events/ For Skal membership enquiries, please email: [email protected]
  7. BANGKOK: With travel between India and Thailand opening up and quarantine no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers, Skal Asia President Andrew J Wood (third right) along with Past Asia President Jason Samuel (third left) were both warmly welcomed to the first face to face meeting of the Bangkok club since March this year. Jason who had flown in from Mumbai to join the meeting took the opportunity to present the hand delivered chain on behalf of the Asian Area to President Andrew who was elected in September 2021. The covid-delayed chain presentation took place recently at the May networking cocktail event, organised by Skal International Bangkok at The Peninsula Hotel. Also seen in the photograph from the Bangkok club, are Pichai Visutriratana Events Director (far left), James Thurlby President (second left), Michael Bamberg Secretary (second right) and John Neutze Treasurer (far right). Skål International is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world. Founded in 1934, Skål International is an advocate of global tourism and peace and is a not for profit association. Skål does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, religion or politics. Skål is focused on doing business and business networking in the company of fellow professionals in an atmosphere of friendship. The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia, with a growing number of clubs, the Association was then formed two years later. The Skål toast promotes Happiness, Good Health, Friendship, and Long Life. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Skål International today has approximately 13,000 members in 317 Clubs throughout 103 nations headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain. For more information, please visit www.skal.org For Bangkok please visit: www.skalbangkok.com For Skal membership enquiries, please email: [email protected]
  8. Tropical weather, exotic locations, amazing delicacies, friendly locals, quality healthcare, and value-for-money living costs makes Thailand a popular retirement destination. Here, your pension or retirement savings could go a long way, and you can definitely live it up in style. Housekeeper? Check. Driver? Check. Private healthcare? Check. If you’re convinced of this Southeast Asian gem, our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand will give a brief overview of the top 5 retirement destinations in the country. 1. Pattaya Pattaya is around 150 km or a 2-hour drive away from the capital, Bangkok. With good road links, this means that you can head over to the Big Mango whenever you feel like it - taking advantage of everything the big city life has to offer. At the same time, you can also get all the advantages of living in a smaller, more affordable beach town. While Pattaya has a notorious reputation for its bar scene and nightlife, do you know that there’s so much more to the city than that? From its close proximity to the breathtaking Koh Larn to its street vendors, shopping malls, and golf course, you won’t be short of things to see and do in Pattaya. 2. Chiang Mai Thailand’s northern region is known as the ‘Lanna’ region, rich in culture and heritage, as well as nature-filled activities. With its mountainous areas and its cooler temperatures (when compared to the rest of the country), Chiang Mai - the north’s largest city - makes for a pleasant city to live in. The best part? You’ll find the cost of living to be much cheaper, especially when comparing it to living in Bangkok or the islands in the south of the country. A word of warning: Be mindful of the poor air quality during the “smoky season” and invest in a good N95 mask to protect yourself. Read more: The differences between N95 and surgical masks 3. Phuket If you’re looking for a tropical paradise - large enough to have its own international airport, then Phuket will definitely be high up on your list. Located in the south of Thailand, and connected to the mainland by a bridge, you’ll find magnificent beaches and crystalline depths in Phuket - perfect for swimming and sunbathing, amongst malls, restaurants, bars, and night markets. Although transportation within the island may be a bit of a problem, you can always get a rentable scooter or taxi to make your way around. The only real downside is that the cost of living in Phuket can be quite high. 4. Hua Hin Hua Hin’s laid back vibes make it the perfect weekend getaway for busy Bangkokians. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this sleepy beachtown is also home to a large Scandinavian crowd. In particular, expat retirees flock to Hua Hin to take advantage of its stunning coastal views, privacy and seclusion, as well as plenty of retail and dining options. Don’t be surprised if you see entire gated communities boasting affordable pool villas that are dedicated to expat retirees from Sweden, Norway, and more! Miss the big City? Not a problem. Bangkok is only a 3-hour drive away! 5. Koh Samui Another pricey island to feature on this list, Koh Samui takes the fifth spot. This exclusive island is home to a breathtaking airport, with only Bangkok Airways allowed to touch down. That being said, there are long-winded ways to get to the island by getting a ferry across from Surat Thani. Beyond price and accessibility, Koh Samui is known to attract less tourists than Phuket, whilst still providing some amazing views. There’s no shortage of modern condos and facilities, including those that offer luxury living. Fancy a bite? You’ll also discover some great places to dine here. Retiring in Thailand? Pacific Prime can help you secure health insurance for retirees in Thailand, long stay visa insurance for Thailand expats, and help you with all things insurance. Contact one of their friendly, knowledgeable, and impartial advisors today!
  9. Although water splashing is prohibited, majority still expect to participate in smaller scale, traditional festivities, while taking precautions to guard against Covid-19 For the third year in a row, restrictions are being placed on Songkran celebrations in Thailand, pre-empting another muted festive season. Latest research from YouGov RealTime Omnibus shows that only a quarter of online Thais do not intend to participate in the celebrations this year (27%), with the remaining three-quarters set to enjoy a myriad of festivities. Out of those who will be celebrating the season, six in ten intend to carry out the practice of pouring water on the hands of their elders to seek their blessings (59%) or visit a temple (58%), making these the two most popular activities over the season. Those aged 18-24 are most likely to seek their elders’ blessings (65%), while 35-44-year-olds are most likely to visit the temple (66%). The third most popular activity among online Thais is enjoying other leisure activities, like visiting cafes or tourist attractions, with four in ten saying they will do so (40%). As the smaller-scale celebrations look set to continue, majority still say they will adopt habits to protect themselves from Covid-19. Three-quarters of celebrants say they will wear a mask in public areas, despite there no longer being laws mandating it. Seven in ten also say they will take care of their personal hygiene by washing their hands often or using hand sanitiser (71%) or avoid crowded public areas (69%). Those above the age of 45 are significantly more likely to adopt any of these three top habits. Majority of those looking to celebrate Songkran still express some level of worry about Covid-19, with only one in eight saying they are not worried (13%) and one in twenty saying they are not worried at all (6%). Notably, men are significantly more likely to say they are not worried at all (7%), while women are more likely to express opposite sentiment, with one in five saying they are very worried (21%). Methodology: YouGov RealTime Omnibus provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online from 3 to 7 March 2022, with a nationally representative sample of 2,064 adults in Thailand (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by gender, age, region and monthly household income to be representative of the adult Thai online population (18 years or older), and reflect the latest National Statistical Office of Thailand (NSO) population estimates. Learn more about YouGov RealTime Omnibus.
  10. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of individuals around the world, and Thailand is no exception. In fact, the director-general at Thailand’s Department of Mental Health told the Bangkok Post that the country’s suicide rate is 5.9 times higher than pre-COVID-19 days. The department’s data also revealed that people are more likely to develop depression (4.8 times) and stress (2.1 times) than prior to the pandemic. The Omicron variant’s slow spread is yet another factor that is currently impacting the mental health of the nation. On top of that, excessive news consumption and living in Bangkok (particularly as a woman) can make matters worse. This article from our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand discusses where you can find mental health help in Thailand. Seeking help for mental health as an expat As an expat, taking care of your mental health isn’t always easy. Language barriers, being away from your support group, and cultural differences can cause you to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and isolated. Loneliness, long-term stress, or substance abuse/misuse are just some of the most common factors that influence mental health. It’s important to seek help when you need it. While your friends and family may be able to offer some comfort, talking to a professional is advisable. Psychiatric health checkups are just as vital as physical health checkups. Fortunately, there are plenty of mental health services available in Thailand for expats. Samaritans Thailand If you experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, or have suicidal thoughts, contact The Samaritans of Thailand’s English hotline at 02 113 6789 and press 2. While the free service puts you in touch with staff who are trained in suicide prevention, callers don’t have to be suicidal to get help through the hotline. It often helps to simply talk to someone when you’re feeling low, especially to a person who is trained to listen as you share your issues and concerns. Once you leave a message at the call center, a staff member will contact you back within 24 hours. The service is also anonymous, so you don’t have to provide your real name if you don’t want to. Private hospitals Those dealing with a life-threatening mental health crisis should head straight to the ER of an international hospital. Ask to see the psychiatrist on duty upon arrival. In Bangkok, two of the leading hospitals for mental health services are Bangkok Hospital and Manarom Hospital. Bangkok Hospital Mental Health Rehabilitation and Recovery Center Bangkok Hospital offers mental health services and facilities, including counseling, inpatient care, outpatient services, and day programs. The hospital’s Chitrak Center focuses on mental health treatment, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. Manarom Hospital As one of Thailand’s leading private hospitals specializing in mental and behavioral healthcare, Manarom Hospital offers a range of mental health services like day programs and adult psychiatry. The staff are trained in a wide variety of mental health conditions, from substance abuse and behavioral problems to PTSD and family issues. Counseling and mental health services As one of the most popular expat destinations in Thailand, Bangkok is home to some of the leading mental health providers and counseling centers in the country. While the following are Bangkok-based services, there are also online options for expats living in other areas of Thailand. What’s more, facilities closer to home are available for expats throughout the country, so be sure to research your options. Psychological Services International (PSI) Since 2001, PSI has been providing therapy, counseling, and assessment services to expats in Bangkok. PSI’s counselors are trained as psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers, so they can also be helpful if you’re in need of medication. The staff speak English, Thai, and French and also serve clients outside of Bangkok through online services. New Counseling Service (NCS) The only fully licensed counseling center in the nation’s capital city, NCS offers counseling, mental health services, and training to both expats and locals. In operation for more than 20 years, NCS provides support for mental health issues from anxiety and depression to grief counseling and crisis intervention. Along with Thai and English, staff also speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Dutch. What to do if you have a mental health emergency The first thing you should do when you want help with a mental health issue is to contact the Samaritans. Note that this is a callback service, so you might have to wait up to 24 hours to hear back from them. In the meantime, you can contact a counselor by emailing a provider of your choice (such as PSI or NCS) and letting them know that you’re seeking help. If you’re in a life-threatening situation, it’s best to head straight to the psychiatrist on duty at an international hospital. Bangkok and Manarom Hospitals have psychiatrist units that you can visit directly, but any psychiatrist will be able to help you in the event of an emergency. Hospitals will ask for insurance details or payment, but don’t let that deter you from putting your mental health first. Looking for individual health insurance plans or other types of health insurance? Pacific Prime’s highly-trained advisors can help you find the best health insurance plan for Thailand expats for your needs and budget. Contact Pacific Prime Thailand for impartial insurance advice and a tailored plan comparison today!
  11. Pattaya, Thailand – The Royal Cliff Hotels Group has achieved another amazing milestone by recently being the only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” for Hotel Accommodation. This further cements its place as a destination that has excellent safety and hygiene measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Royal Cliff’s 5–star Cliff Spa, has also received “The Best of SHA - The Excellence Award” for the Health and Beauty category. The Best of SHA Awards 2021 is given to the best establishments that have received the most vote from a satisfaction questionnaire of tourists all over Thailand. The satisfaction questionnaire covers the safety and health standards (SHA Standard) and the White Tourism standards (convenient, clean, safe, fair, and nature-friendly). The awards ceremony was organized by TAT in acknowledgment of tourism businesses prioritizing compliance with Amazing Thailand SHA measures and was presided over by Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor. “The Best of SHA Awards 2021 was launched in June, last year, to search for the best SHA-certified businesses in the 10 categories the certification covers, and celebrate their excellence,” Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor, said. “The initiative is to encourage business operators to continuously adhere to the SHA standard and maintain consistency in their safety and hygiene approaches.” The winners of “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” are chosen from establishments that received an average voting score of 90-100% from tourists. As the sole winner of the hotel accommodation and homestay category, Royal Cliff’s safety measures ensure guests that they will always have an extraordinary and safe stay in all its different hotels. The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) project is a collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health as well as public and private sector partners. Being awarded the SHA certificate and the SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) means that Royal Cliff along with the Cliff Spa and all its MICE Meeting venues had undergone a strict inspection and passed the SHA’s good standards of hygiene, health and cleanliness in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and have partnered with medical facilities for COVID-19-related testing and medical treatment. Situated on a 64-acre private parkland estate overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing guests from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. Book your stay directly and get the best price guaranteed along with value-added optional extras that will enhance your hotel experience by visiting www.royalcliff.com, contacting Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732 or emailing: [email protected]. For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, please visit www.royalcliff.com
  12. Pattaya, Thailand – The Royal Cliff Hotels Group has achieved another amazing milestone by recently being the only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” for Hotel Accommodation. This further cements its place as a destination that has excellent safety and hygiene measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Royal Cliff’s 5–star Cliff Spa, has also received “The Best of SHA - The Excellence Award” for the Health and Beauty category. The Best of SHA Awards 2021 is given to the best establishments that have received the most vote from a satisfaction questionnaire of tourists all over Thailand. The satisfaction questionnaire covers the safety and health standards (SHA Standard) and the White Tourism standards (convenient, clean, safe, fair, and nature-friendly). The awards ceremony was organized by TAT in acknowledgment of tourism businesses prioritizing compliance with Amazing Thailand SHA measures and was presided over by Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor. “The Best of SHA Awards 2021 was launched in June, last year, to search for the best SHA-certified businesses in the 10 categories the certification covers, and celebrate their excellence,” Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor, said. “The initiative is to encourage business operators to continuously adhere to the SHA standard and maintain consistency in their safety and hygiene approaches.” The winners of “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” are chosen from establishments that received an average voting score of 90-100% from tourists. As the sole winner of the hotel accommodation and homestay category, Royal Cliff’s safety measures ensure guests that they will always have an extraordinary and safe stay in all its different hotels. The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) project is a collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health as well as public and private sector partners. Being awarded the SHA certificate and the SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) means that Royal Cliff along with the Cliff Spa and all its MICE Meeting venues had undergone a strict inspection and passed the SHA’s good standards of hygiene, health and cleanliness in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and have partnered with medical facilities for COVID-19-related testing and medical treatment. Situated on a 64-acre private parkland estate overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing guests from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. Book your stay directly and get the best price guaranteed along with value-added optional extras that will enhance your hotel experience by visiting www.royalcliff.com, contacting Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732 or emailing: [email protected]. For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, please visit www.royalcliff.com
  13. Pattaya, Thailand – The Royal Cliff Hotels Group has achieved another amazing milestone by recently being the only hotel in Thailand to be awarded “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” for Hotel Accommodation. This further cements its place as a destination that has excellent safety and hygiene measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Royal Cliff’s 5–star Cliff Spa, has also received “The Best of SHA - The Excellence Award” for the Health and Beauty category. The Best of SHA Awards 2021 is given to the best establishments that have received the most vote from a satisfaction questionnaire of tourists all over Thailand. The satisfaction questionnaire covers the safety and health standards (SHA Standard) and the White Tourism standards (convenient, clean, safe, fair, and nature-friendly). The awards ceremony was organized by TAT in acknowledgment of tourism businesses prioritizing compliance with Amazing Thailand SHA measures and was presided over by Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor. “The Best of SHA Awards 2021 was launched in June, last year, to search for the best SHA-certified businesses in the 10 categories the certification covers, and celebrate their excellence,” Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT Governor, said. “The initiative is to encourage business operators to continuously adhere to the SHA standard and maintain consistency in their safety and hygiene approaches.” The winners of “The Best of SHA Awards 2021” are chosen from establishments that received an average voting score of 90-100% from tourists. As the sole winner of the hotel accommodation and homestay category, Royal Cliff’s safety measures ensure guests that they will always have an extraordinary and safe stay in all its different hotels. The Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) project is a collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health as well as public and private sector partners. Being awarded the SHA certificate and the SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) means that Royal Cliff along with the Cliff Spa and all its MICE Meeting venues had undergone a strict inspection and passed the SHA’s good standards of hygiene, health and cleanliness in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and have partnered with medical facilities for COVID-19-related testing and medical treatment. Situated on a 64-acre private parkland estate overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing guests from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. Book your stay directly and get the best price guaranteed along with value-added optional extras that will enhance your hotel experience by visiting www.royalcliff.com, contacting Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732 or emailing: [email protected]. For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, please visit www.royalcliff.com
  14. How many of us came to Thailand with good intentions to learn the language? How many of us actually made good on those intentions? In all fairness, it can be easy enough to get around Thailand without learning the language, especially in large cities like Bangkok. If you stick to touristy areas such as Sukhumvit and Silom, there isn’t much need for Thai to get what you need. That isn’t the point though, and deep down we know it. You’re missing out on so much We miss out on so much when we can’t say what we want to say, and we can’t understand all that is being said. You might find yourself complaining about the way things are here without fully understanding Thai culture. One large key to understanding the culture is actually learning the language. Things start to click once you can fully understand Thais when they explain why things are the way they are here. Not that it will ever make 100% sense to us as non-Thais, but it definitely helps give a much clearer point of view. When people ask you how long you’ve been in Thailand, the follow up question is usually “Can you speak Thai?” For many people, the answer starts with an uncomfortable laugh, followed by “Nidnoi” or “Just a little bit.” After a while, the joke just gets sad and old. There really is no excuse to not learn the language at this point. Learning Thai has never been easier. With all of the apps, programs and freelance teachers out there, it just takes that first step. With Zoe Thai, we’ve packaged everything together to make learning Thai easy and fun. We have: ● Fantastic teachers in 1 on 1 online classes ● Animated videos after each class for you to practice hearing your new vocabulary ● Online quizzes after every class to test your knowledge ● Recordings of each live class to help with your memory ● Written feedback after every class Get Started with Zoe Thai All of this is included with 24/7 online support, and an online booking system which allows you to choose times that work for your schedule. It’s time to take the first step. Sign up for a free class to see how you like the system. If it’s something you like, go ahead with a package to get on track to learn the Thai language. The program and curriculum is designed to make learning Thai fun in a realistic setting. Learn the basics of taxi and restaurant Thai, or move ahead with higher level, more professional Thai. Thailand opens up in many ways after that. Once you can understand what’s going on around you, life becomes more clear. You don’t have to rely on someone to get simple things done for you like banking or signing up for a subscription. You can learn more about the culture, have better relationships, and learn more about what is your temporary or permanent home, Thailand. Sign up for your free class today at www.zoethai.com, or just add on on LINE for a friendly chat @zoethai We are here to help, and have been teaching online since 2017. Reach out and Get Started with Zoe Thai.
  15. Skal International Bangkok, a popular networking club of tourism professionals and a leading Tourism Business club part of Skal International club, will have an Annual General Meeting and networking luncheon with members on the 8th March at Arnoma Grand Bangkok, Rajaprasong road. The lunch will start from 11.30 hrs. - 14.00 hrs. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), there will be the new President election, as Andrew Wood has been elected to President Asian Area, recently. James Thurlby is now acting president and has recruited a dynamic group of individuals to serve on his Executive Committee, pending the results of the elections. The new president with the new executive committee members will be announced at the AGM after the election. Skål International has over 12,000 members worldwide in more than 300 clubs in 98 countries. SKAL International began in Sweden in 1934, and grew to become the world's largest organization of travel professionals. The Skal International Bangkok club was formed in 1956, 66 years ago. The Bangkok club is comprised of over sixty leaders from leading organizations in Thailand’s tourism industry and meets monthly. For more information about Skal, please visit www.skalbangkok.com and www.skal.org.com Thank you for your kind support. For more information about press release, please contact Kanokros Wongvekin at email: [email protected]
  16. Child Safeguarding in Schools (Thailand) Venue - Bangkok Prep International School Secondary Campus On 1st March, the British Embassy Bangkok, in collaboration with UNICEF and the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT), hosted the Child Safeguarding in Schools (Thailand) Conference 2022. The event highlighted the importance of child safeguarding in schools in Thailand and showcased best practice that schools can effectively adopt to prevent child abuse. According to One Stop Crisis Centre under the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, over 10,000 children in Thailand are treated in hospital every year due to abuse. A national survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and UNICEF on the situation of children and women in Thailand in 2019 showed that 58 percent of children aged 1 to 14 years said they had experienced violent discipline (any physical punishment). The British Embassy’s Consular Team in Bangkok provides supports to an average of 60-70 child welfare cases every single year. Despite travel restrictions and reduced number of incoming visitors, there have been 35 child safeguarding cases in 2021. Globally and regionally, evidence is fast-growing that children’s well-being and learning are inter-connected. Violence has short and long-term negative impacts on children’s health and well-being including injuries, risky behaviours, lack of trust in others, hurting oneself, health problems, among others. Facing violence can also lead to lower school attendance and dropouts, resulting in lower learning levels and completion rates. The conference brought together experts and practitioners to share best practice as to how schools can implement robust safeguarding practices. It has opened a discussion on the role of schools and teachers in child safeguarding, with a view to support all schools in Thailand to adopt a child safeguarding policy as part of a holistic approach to school safety and student well-being. It further advocated for training for all teachers in recognising signs of abuse and how to best support children who disclose abuse. The event featured keynote speakers from UNICEF, ECPAT, the British Embassy, Childline Thailand and child protection experts. Due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings, the event was broadcast online via Zoom to nearly 200 participants, concluding with a roundtable involving stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, civil society, and young people and parent representatives. Mark Gooding, British Ambassador to Thailand, said: “Schools have a unique insight into how children are developing and interacting. Teachers can spot changes in behaviour, injuries or trauma in children, and have a vital role in spotting signs of abuse. I am therefore delighted that we have come together today to share knowledge and understanding on what more we can do to safeguard children going forward.” Suphat Champatong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said: “The Ministry of Education places utmost importance to the issue of child safeguarding in Thai educational system. We see this conference as a highly valuable venue to share best practices and highlight the importance of child safeguarding in schools in Thailand. The Ministry would like to express our appreciation to the host of this event including the British Embassy, UNICEF and the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) and we look forward to continuing this dynamic relationship in working together to best safeguard all children in schools in Thailand.” Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand said: “There is a growing body of evidence of how childhood well-being and learning are inter-connected. I strongly believe that the Ministry of Education’s commitment to school safety as a key ministerial policy priority is a potential gamechanger to better protect children from violence in Thailand and improve the quality of their schooling experience. Making schools a safer place for all children, in Thailand and elsewhere, is a priority for UNICEF as the co-founding member of the Safe To Learn global initiative, along with the UK Government and other partners.” Background · In March 2021, the British Embassy, in partnership with the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT), hosted Child Safeguarding Webinar for international schools in Thailand highlighting how the Embassy and other agencies can work together to provide support on child protection. · The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO) and UNICEF are co-founding members of the Safe To Learn global initiative, dedicated to ending violence in and through schools so children are free to learn, thrive and pursue their dreams. Safe to Learn presents an opportunity to unlock the multiple wins of ending violence in schools, improving learning outcomes, better leveraging investments in education, and raising awareness and change attitudes towards violence against children. For more information from the British Embassy, please contact: Songsang at [email protected] +66 (2) 305 8218 For more information from UNICEF, please contact: Iman Morooka, [email protected], +66 (2) 356- 9481
  17. Is it weird that whenever you scroll through social media platforms, you find those perfect shots of people they post, and you think that maybe you are born ugly and have no sense of how to click pictures? And looking at those flawless Insta-shots is known to seriously hurt your self-image, but let me remind you that none of it is actually real. People and other big Influencers spend 30 hours a day staging, taking trillions of pictures, and filtering and retouching the shots until they have something to share with their fans and followers. Maybe being a regular user of social media platforms, we do not know how all this works, but there is someone who knows. So, meet this Thai model who knows an entirely different truth behind every Insta-perfect shot. Vienna, AKA Viennadoll, is a Thai model who isn’t scared of revealing her “unattractive” side to her followers. She creates genuine but hilarious “Instagram Vs. Reality” collages that display the reality behind the shots is entirely different from the picture. Moreover, her looks aren’t always flawless as they appear on social media. Vienna became a model when she was 19 years old, and she had about 10K followers on Twitter, but now she has 178k followers. Of course, she is the only one behind her success. Well, some of the software helped her to retouch her photos. Yes, so it turns out that she uses some software like *Ulike* to retunes her images. Moreover, she touchup images by adding up some kind of filters to her face and background. Source: Savagehumans
  18. The Nation recently reported that most health insurance plans currently available to tourists don’t cover COVID-19 treatment costs. Consequently, Thailand’s Department of Health Services Support has permitted health insurance providers to launch products covering treatment for foreign COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms. This will speed up the claims process, which can take up to 10 days with foreign insurance providers. Health insurance for foreigners in Thailand is highly advisable, to begin with, and is more important than ever with the current situation. This article from our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand takes a closer look at why expats in Thailand should secure COVID-19 health insurance coverage. Considerations for expats in Thailand In pre-COVID times, Thailand was one of the top places for expats to escape. Favorable exchange rates meant money could be stretched further than back home. The low cost of living and traveling enticed expats from all corners of the globe. But medical inflation and rising costs of living have changed things. On top of that, expats are concerned about costly hospital bills and whether they’ll be able to afford treatment without insurance. Many expats in Thailand are now wondering what health insurance can offer them in terms of protection and coverage. Let’s take a quick look at a recent case study before discussing COVID insurance in Thailand. Case study: Expat living on Koh Samui unable to pay medical and hospitel bill In September 2021, ASEAN NOW posted about a British expat who was placed in hospital overnight and then obliged to quarantine in a “hospitel” (i.e. hotel isolation facility) for two weeks. The 47-year-old man had been living on Koh Samui for years and wanted to self-isolate at home. He claimed he wouldn’t be able to pay the full THB ฿60,000 bill otherwise. While it wasn’t clear if he had any health insurance or insufficient coverage if so, what we do know is that an insurance provider or broker would have been able to help. At the very least, it would’ve been much easier to handle the situation between him and the authorities. The key takeaway for expats This case study serves as an important reminder for expats to review their existing insurance policies or look into securing one. You might find that you don’t have the right expat health insurance coverage or coverage levels are not enough. Either way, be sure to contact your local insurance provider or broker right away if something similar happens to you. Advisors are available to answer “will insurers cover COVID-19?” and other questions about health insurance plans, as well as help you find a plan that’s a better fit. Secure COVID insurance in Thailand Those who wish to travel to Thailand must meet the requirements set out by the Thai authorities, including: ● Health insurance with minimum medical coverage of USD $50,000 ● COVID-19 cover ● Thailand Pass What is COVID-19 cover? For those wondering, the required COVID-19 coverage will cover the costs of quarantine, isolation, testing, and treatment - along with the potential costs of repatriation. Additionally, it’ll cover the cost of prescribed medications as a result of being infected with the coronavirus. More comprehensive insurance policies will cover any losses incurred due to catching the virus as well, such as trip cancelations and lost bookings. As always, read the fine print of any insurance policy before purchasing it and never choose a policy based on price alone. Essentially, most COVID-19 insurance policies have three main features: ● Medical coverage - A comprehensive package with a cap of USD $50,000 at minimum, covering all COVID-19-related treatment costs ● Life insurance coverage - In the case of unexpected death from COVID-19, the insured’s beneficiary will receive a total of USD $50,000 - though this depends on the policy ● Additional out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to being infected with the virus (e.g. missed flights, lost bookings, etc.) Travelers entering Thailand must carry a certificate of insurance to prove coverage. You won’t be granted entry into the country without it. Note that COVID-19 cover will be in addition to general health insurance policies that may be required for visas or extensions. If you’re already living in Thailand, a robust health insurance plan that covers COVID-19 can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can seek quality medical care whenever you need it. Looking for expat health insurance in Thailand or globally? Pacific Prime’s highly-trained advisors are available to give you impartial insurance advice and a tailored plan comparison. Contact Pacific Prime Thailand today!
  19. Hypocrisy everywhere as Thailand - and her detractors - stumble into 2022! Thailand stumbled into the New Year with the authorities annoying just about everyone both within her borders and further afield. Those waiting in the wings with a Thailand Pass or a loved one hoping they’d arrive after being parted for so long, started 2022 as frustrated as they left the last. Not knowing whether they were coming or going. Many residents in the country shook their heads at the latest round of the new national sport of flip flopping. Locals, desperate to see the economy move on and get back to a semblance of normal were thwarted at every turn. Tourists are being put off and Thais are being cajoled into buying into the Omicron rhetoric despite overwhelming evidence that we should just learn to live with the virus after so many people have been vaccinated. Wasn’t getting vaxxed the original deal way back, when we made jokes about coronavirus and a Mexican beer and beating the curve was something you did at baseball? It’s an almighty bloomin’ mess. High up on the list is the debacle in Phuket where hotels are letting tourists out of quarantine early then fearing being shut down when they test positive. Where insurance companies - facing billion baht losses because their rubbish actuaries backed the wrong pony - are reneging on deals meaning asymptomatic tourists are refusing to go to overcharging hospitals with nary a cold. Of course the devilish insurance giants are hiding behind their microscopic small print which they claim says “no symptoms no pay hospital”. If you had accident insurance and broke your left leg they’d tell you the premium only applied to the right one. Yes, Rooster has always loathed insurance companies almost as much as I loathe insurance (though I make a hypocritical exception for Spurs shirts with AIA emblazoned on them). Being a betting man since being knee high to a thoroughbred I realized as a child that insurance odds were stacked against you. At least when betting you had a chance - if you worked hard and studied the form - of beating the odds. Insurance is a gamble that can only pay off if the worst happens. Who wants that?! In the long run you’re nearly always a loser. Win short term and you can bet your life that the companies will try and wriggle out of it to protect their profits. I only get insurance when I legally have to - third party for cars, condos against fire, that sort of thing. The rest I avoid like the plague - and it’s saved me countless millions over the years that is all nestling in my bank should things ever go more pear shaped than the missus. If I get a dent reversing into a parking space in my car - a frequent occurrence - I leave it. Dents are good to remind you to park safely next time, right?. Cars don’t go into me because I look out for them, ditto potholes. Capiche? If I get sick I go to Google, the Pharmacy, the Doctor and the ATM in that order. This week also saw, Anutin and his mob delay Test and Go indefinitely. While the predicted wave of sneezes began. Whatever happened to Tiffy or Night Nurse! Anutin’s son Pek stirred the pot - rather appropriate for the Health Minister with his ganja promotions - by sharing Instagram pictures of maskless family gatherings. Posters on ASEAN NOW went ballistic calling it hypocrisy. If anything they are the hypocrites, however. On this occasion Thai public enemy numero uno was at home - what’s wrong with that. Who wears a mask at home? Choose your battles carefully or you’ll end up looking as stupid as cupid with your constant moaning. The government told people not to panic, then panicked as the numbers started to follow predictions. Of course the opening of the favorite whipping boys - pubs, bars and nightclubs - had to bear the brunt. Now even restaurants behaving like bars are being reined in. It’s all designed to make our lives as miserable as possible. My kids’ school sent out a questionnaire asking if we’d like them to go back to what is now called “on-site” (that used to be just ‘school’ back in the day). I replied “natch” but it’s like urinating into the “lom”; most of the parents will say ‘nada’ wanting to avoid the drive into school with their little horrors preferring to have the maid pretend to teach them in bedrooms. So it's a moot point - the schools won’t open till May at the earliest. Whatever; we get 25,000 baht off a term and at least the kids aren’t assaulted with rulers and belittled anymore unless it’s the wrong time of teacher Mrs R’s month. Prayut continued his “Let’s Dance Like Boris” routine. The UK PM, despite 200K cases daily, has finally got lucky thanks to the vaccine. But with only 9 million boosted in Thailand, if the science proves to be true about jabs saving the pandemic day, Prayut could still be backing the tail ender in the 3.50 at Uttoxeter. Anyway, as most of my readers are as fed up with lurgy news as me, it's time to wish the Fifth Wave all the best, accept danger Level 4 of 5 (whatever that means) and move on…. Former PM Thaksin watching from afar gave his New Year message to his erstwhile ‘phee nong’. With all his billions it’s a wonder why he should want to darken Thailand’s doors again - he should take a leaf out of Boss’s book and sit out the statute of limitations sipping a Red Bull in a F1 pitstop. Whenever I hear “Tony Woodsome”, as he calls himself now, I remember my top Shinawatra anecdotes. One of my favorite pictures is a selfie with Yingluck, positioned in a frame by a downstairs toilet. I taught her son and remember how we chuckled about the Secret Service following him around on school trips pretending to be tramps - tramps with earpieces that is. Thaksin himself once met one of our teachers in Harrods and took him for afternoon tea! But one of my prized possessions is a brown envelope (actually it’s white) from his sister who gave me 2,000 baht for a Scrabble tournament I held at Harrow. Beat that for a signed heirloom! I think I’ll dig out the envelope hidden among the 1970 World Cup Soccer Stars album and frame it for the UPSTAIRS toilet. Some items must be given pride of place in one’s humble abode. The seven deadly days came to an end with the RTP popping the champagne corks because there were 20% less fatalities on the roads. Quite a result with about 50% less people travelling but hey, who’s counting. Face is all that matters and saving it is a top priority especially with all those pointless tents having to be taken down nationwide. Thousands more celebrated New Year by drinking and driving and murdering and maiming. DUI was up with the corrections department being unable to deny the damning figures. Instead their chief saved the required “naa” (face) by saying that they found more drunks this year because they actually looked for them. Clever! The RTP could make it a New Year resolution to follow suit and actually enforce the law - then Rooster awoke and shot down a passing porker and ordered Mrs R to simmer the Apple Sauce. Plod hardly covered themselves in regimental glory this week. Somehow a foreigner jumped from their Pattaya roof and killed himself. Then a nasty Lance Corporal - jilted by Ploy - proved himself less of a gem by posting a sex video on Twitter and threatening her. Don’t just discipline these rogues; toss ‘em out and suggest a career in Thai politics. It’s the only place that’s good enuf for them. Elsewhere at a Pattaya condo, print media reported a US man shot himself after some shenanigans at what Bernard Trink used to call “the resort”. Lung Sam stole a Glock from a firing range, annoyed all and sundry before deciding to meet his maker. Unfortunately he’ll be disappointed. Worms await us if we don’t opt for the chimney. (I’ve been enjoying the week reading The God Delusion for the umpteenth time - I need sanity and surety in an uncertain world). If one thing is as certain as there being no God, it has to be that Thai hotels take umbrage when criticized. All a Thai woman did was give a Khao Yai place 6/10. Her post was not unreasonable, and more than 50% approval is quite good really. Oh no! Lawyers were lined up as the hotel wanted 3 million baht and demanded that the customer should be put in the Pak Chong stocks for a spot of tomato throwing (if the damned things weren’t 100 baht a feckin’ kilo, that is). Fortunately in this day and age hounding a customer for making a bad review will always end badly for the hotel even if they get it removed and lap up a contrite “wai”. Word gets out and so does the name and ruin awaits these nasty, grubby hotels. The same could be said of a “Pet Paloo” restaurant that flogged a diner a duck dinner with maggots in it then had the temerity to say they’d already given her a discount! For crying out loud! Give a free dinner, apologize and remember the customer is always right and you’re providing a service. Wow! Those pigs are landing on the balcony again as I type! One part of the Khao Yai review did make me wistful, however, when the lady complained about the room not having a decent view. It reminded me of that other arch-curmudgeon Basil Fawlty who once told a hard of hearing Mrs Richards what was it she expected to see out of a Torquay hotel window? “Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically” perhaps... Now there was a hotelier with an attitude who assaulted his diners and served a rat to the health inspector! If you’d given Basil a bad review he’d have called you riff-raff and gone back to his Brahms on the radio for a few more bars. A tourist screaming Blue Murder was a Russian lady on Samui. She claimed assault at the hands of a manager at a scenic spot near Lamai but the smile on her face at the Bo Phut nick, plus a video, showed the feisty female had given as good as she got. I particularly liked the story for the obvious mischief of the manager apparently going behind the landowner’s back in constructing a bridge then putting up a flimsy cardboard sign to charge 50 baht to take selfies at a couple of rocks at sunset. Sounds like an entrepreneur, another who should be in government. His boss, the land owner,avoided a social media mauling by planning to scrap the bridge on his private land. My bet is everyone knew perfectly well what was going on. Samui has some of the biggest scoundrels in Buddhadom. What is it about islands that seem to attract such mafia wrong ‘uns? Also showing entrepreneurial spirit was a Sanook story about a Singha beer PR woman, pictured with “loadsa money” (a reference to Harry Enfield’s classic character for the uninitiated). She’d managed to put herself through college without relying on a single baht from mum and dad. All the while ignoring those who “doo thuuk-ed” (looked down on her) for her choice of job. Fair play to her, but this was not good enough for many hypocritical posters on ASEAN NOW who spouted the usual sexist drivel about this respectable young woman putting herself through college on her back. Give it a rest - it’s only like a woman waitressing in the US, albeit weighing 30 kilos less. Cue Rooster being accused of “fattism” (is there such a word?) as well as being a devout atheist, insurance denier and realist. I’m really quite proud of myself this week. The Navy spokesman helpfully told his compatriots that Thailand still needed submarines. But the budget was a bit tight due to the pox and the fact that Sailor Somchai didn’t have money for his bloater because of the bloated top brass. He said they’d buy the submersibles when the economy stops tanking. So what exactly is this threat to national security that only subs can thwart? Cambodians in snorkels collecting coral off Koh Chang? Or maybe Rohingya in Ranong rowing rowboats to buy rice meals at 7-Eleven perhaps? Putting the RTP aside, the nastiest criminal of the week had to be Montree, head of security at a Thonburi condominium. He knocked on a female resident’s door with handcuffs in hand and proceeded to rape her then flee to Wang Nam Yen. Plod utilizing paramotors and sniffer dogs soon had the miscreant in custody. Now he can talk cars with Ferrari Joe for a couple of decades or even find out how to bag a panther with Premchai. All mates together. Finally, international news was dominated by Novax Djokovic, as he is now known. The Serbs called foul while the Australians - not content with thrashing England at cricket - made whinging Poms look like people who had never complained in their lives. It looked like prize prune Scott Morrison was playing politics with his “rules are rules” rhetoric after there was obviously an almighty visa cock-up. Personally I don’t see why the rules for top sportsmen like Mr Djokovic shouldn’t be different to normal souls. They may be filthy rich but they generate huge income and bring pleasure to millions. In some cases there should be one rule for them and one rule for us. Australia could take a hypocritical leaf out of Thailand’s rule book for that! Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates
  20. Three More Provinces Added to Sandbox Program, Test & Go Pre-approved Applicants Allowed to Enter Thailand BANGKOK (NNT) - The government will add three more provinces to the sandbox program that currently only applies to Phuket and still allows applicants who were already approved under the Test & Go quarantine-free scheme to enter the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1246079-three-more-provinces-added-to-sandbox-program-test-go-pre-approved-applicants-allowed-to-enter-thailand/
  21. BANGKOK (NNT) - The government will add three more provinces to the sandbox program that currently only applies to Phuket and still allows applicants who were already approved under the Test & Go quarantine-free scheme to enter the country. A top-level policy meeting on Friday approved three islands in Surat Thani province - Koh, Samui, Kao Phangan, and Koh Tao - as additional sandbox destinations, as well as the entire provinces of Krabi and Phang-Nga. The provinces’ inclusion date has not been determined. The sandbox program allows tourists to travel freely inside a given province or island without the need to enter quarantine, but they must stay in that area for seven days before proceeding to other areas in the country. The administration is attempting to strike a balance between revitalizing the tourism industry and easing fears of a new COVID-19 outbreak, with disease measures being reinforced in 69 provinces and the ban on nightlife upheld. The announcement was made following the latest meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the Test & Go one-quarantine-night-only entry program will be reconsidered at another meeting on January 15th, 2022. He also assured that pre-approved arrivals will be allowed to enter the Kingdom until further notice. The CCSA kept the status of the eight provinces approved for tourism promotion unchanged, meaning eateries in these provinces can still serve alcoholic beverages until 9 PM. The eight provinces comprise Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang-Nga and Phuket. The CCSA spokesman said the CCSA also resolved to step up public health controls in 69 other provinces. These include a ban on alcoholic drinks at restaurants. Additionally, the closure of night entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke parlors, has also been extended until further notice. Meanwhile, offices are advised to let their employees work from home until the end of this month to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-09 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates
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