Download the ASEAN NOW 2022 Calendar here. All no alcohol days listed!

 

 

A big thank you to everyone who submitted images to the photography forum over the past year.

 

There were some amazing photos submitted during 2021.

 

The calendar also includes all Thai and other significant holidays, including no alcohol days.

 

You can download the ASEAN NOW 2022 Calendar here: https://aseannow.com/files/file/796-asean-now-calendar-2022/

Thailand suspends ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’

 

Picture: Facebook AOT

 

Thailand has suspended its ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’ schemes due to fears over the Omicron variant of COVID-19. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243857-thai-pm-orders-immediate-suspension-of-new-test-go-registrations/

 

Thailand’s Chiang Rai province detects first potential Omicron case

 

Photo by Handout / US Food and Drug Administration / AFP

 

Chiang Rai Governor Pasakorn Boonyalak, accompanied by provincial health chief Dr. Watchapong Kamla, announced the first potential Omicron variant case in the province today (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243900-thailand’s-chiang-rai-province-detects-first-potential-omicron-case/

 

Cabinet continues ‘the more you shop the more you get’, co-payment stimulus schemes

 

Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP

 

The Thai cabinet endorsed the Finance Ministry’s plan to roll out the fourth phase of the popular 50:50 co-payment scheme today (Tuesday), from March until the end of April, according to Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243901-cabinet-continues-‘the-more-you-shop-the-more-you-get’-co-payment-stimulus-schemes/

 

PM Happy with 100m COVID Shots

 

 

BANGKOK, (TNA) – The government succeeded in administering 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines within this year as it earlier promised, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wrote on his Facebook account.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243902-pm-happy-with-100m-covid-shots/

 

Female pickup driver crashes into a buffalo in Chonburi, both driver and buffalo injured

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

PHOTO: Wisarn Sangjaroen / Top News

 

Ban Bueng – A buffalo’s leg was broken after being hit by a pickup truck in Ban Bueng while the driver of the truck has sustained multiple moderate injuries.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243903-female-pickup-driver-crashes-into-a-buffalo-in-chonburi-both-driver-and-buffalo-injured/

 

Pattaya preparing for “New Year’s Seven Days of Danger” traffic program

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

PHOTO: File photo / Sawang Prateep Thammasatan Si Racha Rescue Team / Siam Sea Port

 

Pattaya – The Pattaya City Police is preparing to set up multiple checkpoints for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road safety campaign for the New Year which will start next week.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243904-pattaya-preparing-for-“new-year’s-seven-days-of-danger”-traffic-program/

 

Police round up 100 traffic violators in Thap Sakae

By Paul Andrews

 

 

Police in Thap Sakae rounded up more than 100 traffic violating motorcyclists on Sunday (Dec 19).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243905-police-round-up-100-traffic-violators-in-thap-sakae/

 

Pala-U waterfall to reopen to tourists on Dec 25

By Paul Andrews

 

Pala U Waterfall. File Photo

 

Pala-U waterfall will reopen to tourists on December 25, officials from Kaeng Krachan National Park have announced.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243906-pala-u-waterfall-to-reopen-to-tourists-on-dec-25/

 

Dec 21: Prachuap reports 27 new COVID-19 cases, 16 cases in Hua Hin

By Paul Andrews

 

file photo

 

Health officials on Tuesday (Dec 21) reported 27 new COVID-19 cases, 16 of which were found in Hua Hin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243907-dec-21-prachuap-reports-27-new-covid-19-cases-16-cases-in-hua-hin/

 

Danish man missing in Thailand since 2015

by Gregers Møller

 

 

Carl Drewsen a Danish citizen and Phuket resident has been missing for about 6 years. Ever since the day he disappeared in December 2015, neither family, friends nor colleagues have heard from him. There is no indication if he is still alive.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243908-danish-man-missing-in-thailand-since-2015/

 

COVID-19: Thailand reports 2,532 new coronavirus cases, 31 deaths, 3,191 recoveries

 

File photo: REUTERS

 

Thailand on Wednesday (December 22) reported 2,532 new COVID-19 cases, 3,191 recoveries and 31 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243923-covid-19-thailand-reports-2532-new-coronavirus-cases-31-deaths-3191-recoveries/

 

Cha-Am: "Quiet" 15 year old boy murders 12 year old friend with a hammer - violent video games link

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Police in the sleepy holiday town of Cha-Am in Phetchaburi have arrested a 15 year old boy after he battered a 12 year old friend to death in a building near the beach with a hammer.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243925-cha-am-quiet-15-year-old-boy-murders-12-year-old-friend-with-a-hammer-violent-video-games-link/

 

Anutin: Thailand is not shut - it's only a temporary suspension of new registrations - check again Jan 4th

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

DPM and Health Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul assured the Thai media that the government/CCSA had not shut down the country to foreign travellers. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243926-anutin-thailand-is-not-shut-its-only-a-temporary-suspension-of-new-registrations-check-again-jan-4th/

 

Test and Go: Tourists who received QR code can still enter Thailand

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Ministry of Public Health official Dr Kiatphoom Wongjarit confirmed that there would be a 15 day suspension on Test and Go and Sandbox registrations from yesterday until January 4th.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243930-test-and-go-tourists-who-received-qr-code-can-still-enter-thailand/

 

Not again! Another "Stairway to Heaven" found in Korat

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook found another bridge with electrical wires and cables all around it. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243933-not-again-another-stairway-to-heaven-found-in-korat/

 

Furious placard wielding traders descend on MoPH - stop the Omicron panic NOW! Stop a few doctors telling us what to do!

 

Thai caption: Opposed to Lockdown

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that a group of around 30 furious traders with placards descended on the Ministry of Public Health telling the authorities not to lockdown Thailand and shut the country to tourism in the wake of the emergence of the Omicron variant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243935-furious-placard-wielding-traders-descend-on-moph-stop-the-omicron-panic-now-stop-a-few-doctors-telling-us-what-to-do/

RTP warn: Call center gangs getting more sophisticated with fake warrants

 

Picture: INN

 

Deputy RTP spokesman Pol Col Siriwat Deephor warned the Thai public that call center gangs are getting more sophisticated with fake warrants.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243938-rtp-warn-call-center-gangs-getting-more-sophisticated-with-fake-warrants/

 

UPDATE:

 

First tourist in Chiang Rai with Omicron is British man - three Americans at high risk

 

Picture Manager

 

Manager reported that the first foreign tourist identified with the Omicron variant in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand is a British man.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243900-thailand’s-chiang-rai-province-detects-first-potential-omicron-case/?do=findComment&comment=17064120

 

GPS made me do it! Trucker gets stuck under bridge at Nonthaburi U-turn missing sign

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that a trucker following a GPS instruction got stuck under a too low bridge at a U-turn in Nonthaburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243941-gps-made-me-do-it-trucker-gets-stuck-under-bridge-at-nonthaburi-u-turn-missing-sign/

 

Noise complaint at luxury condo leads to arrest of students involved in marijuana dealing/using

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that the district chief of Klong Luang in Pathum Thani and DOPA officials arrested several students involved in marijuana dealing and use.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243946-noise-complaint-at-luxury-condo-leads-to-arrest-of-students-involved-in-marijuana-dealingusing/

 

Thai star Toon Bodyslam’s new charity run questioned

 

 

Thai rock star Artiwara Kongmalai, aka “Toon Bodyslam”, has announced his new charity marathon run, scheduled to take place early next year. The star was hailed by many as a hero for his previous runs to raise money for Thai hospitals and students. This time around, however, many netizens are questioning and disagree with the move as they believe it does nothing to fix the many problems in the Thai education system.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243950-thai-star-toon-bodyslam’s-new-charity-run-questioned/

 

GLO Considering ‘Digital Lotteries’ to Solve Price Inflation

By Paul Rujopakarn

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is considering using digital lotteries to prevent certain dealers from selling government tickets at inflated prices.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243960-glo-considering-‘digital-lotteries’-to-solve-price-inflation/

 

Airlines alerted to Thailand’s new regulations for ‘Test and Go’, ‘Sandbox’ schemes

 

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) alerting airlines around the world of Thailand’s new regulations regarding passengers travelling to Thailand under the “Test and Go” and “Sandbox” programs, intended to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243963-airlines-alerted-to-thailand’s-new-regulations-for-‘test-and-go’-‘sandbox’-schemes/

 

Israeli tourist who spent four days on the run after testing positive for COVID arrested in Koh Samui

 

 

An Israeli man who spent four days on the run after escaping from quarantine in Bangkok was arrested in Koh Samui on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243965-israeli-tourist-who-spent-four-days-on-the-run-after-testing-positive-for-covid-arrested-in-koh-samui/

 

Just over 100 Omicron cases detected in Thailand to date, more tests underway

 

Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

 

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) confirmed today (Wednesday) that Thailand has detected a total of 104 Omicron cases to date, while 34 more COVID-19 infections among Test & Go arrivals have been found.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243978-just-over-100-omicron-cases-detected-in-thailand-to-date-more-tests-underway/

 

Most Thais worried about Omicron during festive period, safety tips offered for celebrations

 

Fireworks erupt over downtown Bangkok during New Year’s celebrations on January 1, 2020. – Some 100 000 people gathered to welcome the new decade. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

The Department of Health today (Wednesday) disclosed the result of an opinion survey, conducted by the department between December 1st and 20th, which shows 80% of the respondents are worried about coronavirus during the festive period, including 70% who are particularly concerned about the Omicron variant, which may spread as more people gather in groups for social gatherings and activities.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243979-most-thais-worried-about-omicron-during-festive-period-safety-tips-offered-for-celebrations/

 

Government Approves New Phase of Co-payment Scheme and Extends Travel Subsidy Program

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The fourth phase of the government’s co-payment campaign has been confirmed for launch in March 2022.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243981-government-approves-new-phase-of-co-payment-scheme-and-extends-travel-subsidy-program/

 

WHO Recommends Canceling Holiday Activities Amid Omicron Spread

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The World Health Organization (WHO) is now recommending that people cancel some of their holiday plans as the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads rapidly across the world.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243983-who-recommends-canceling-holiday-activities-amid-omicron-spread/

 

Fourth Vaccine Shot Approved for Elderly and Medical Workers

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Vaccine Institute has approved a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to boost immunity among specific groups.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243984-fourth-vaccine-shot-approved-for-elderly-and-medical-workers/