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/

Grim worst case for Thailand next year if people lower their guard against COVID-19

 

 

The Thai Ministry of Public Health has unveiled bleak pictures of three worst case scenarios in Thailand next year, if the COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads out of control while the population reduces their discipline over protecting themselves against the virus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244627-grim-worst-case-for-thailand-next-year-if-people-lower-their-guard-against-covid-19/

Thailand unveils plans to cope with Omicron COVID variant outbreak

 

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has unveiled plans to cope with a potential outbreak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant next year, including the reactivation of the home isolation program, as the main way to accommodate the infected, and community isolation facilities in Bangkok to shelter infected children, said Dr. Somsak Akksilp, director-general of Medical Services Department, today (Monday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244641-thailand-unveils-plans-to-cope-with-omicron-covid-variant-outbreak/

Prime Minister urges people to take ATK tests for New Year celebrations

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister urged everyone to understand the importance of ATK testing before and after New Year’s celebrations, and he ordered strict screening standards for international arrivals.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244646-prime-minister-urges-people-to-take-atk-tests-for-new-year-celebrations/

UPDATE:

 

Omicron numbers Could reach 30,000 per day if people are not vigilant

By Erich Parpart

 

 

The number of daily Covid cases could reach 30,000 per day by mid-March if the majority of people and businesses fail to strictly follow prevention measures, the Ministry of Public Health warned on Monday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244627-grim-worst-case-for-thailand-next-year-if-people-lower-their-guard-against-covid-19/?do=findComment&comment=17075762

 

CentralWorld to Hold Virtual Countdown Event

 

 

BANGKOK, Dec 27 (TNA) – Central Pattana Public Company Limited has decided to organize its “centralwOrld BangkOk cOuntdOwn 2022” in a 3D virtual form and people can witness the event online to help contain COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244689-centralworld-to-hold-virtual-countdown-event/

 

31-year-old Thai man arrested for allegedly killing female neighbor in a Samut Prakan condominium, sexual assault believed to be motive

By Nop Meechukhun

 

 

Samut Prakan – A male Thai suspect, 31, was arrested in a condominium in the Bang Phli District of Samut Prakan today, December 27th, for allegedly stabbing a 23-year-old female neighbor to death in front of the building elevator.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244690-31-year-old-thai-man-arrested-for-allegedly-killing-female-neighbor-in-a-samut-prakan-condominium-sexual-assault-believed-to-be-motive/

 

Prachuap governor asks private sector to consider suspending NYE events in Hua Hin

By Paul Andrews

 

 

Hua Hin’s private sector has been asked to consider suspending any planned New Year’s Eve events as a precautionary measure to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and in particular the omicron variant of the virus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244691-prachuap-governor-asks-private-sector-to-consider-suspending-nye-events-in-hua-hin/

 

Danish family placed in isolation in Thailand after daughter test positive for Covid-19

by Gregers Møller 

 

Emili has been isolated in solitary confinement at the hospital after she tested positive for Covid-19.

 

A Danish family has been placed in isolation in Thailand after their 18-year-old daughter tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in the country. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244692-danish-family-placed-in-isolation-in-thailand-after-daughter-test-positive-for-covid-19/

 

Thailand reports 2,305 new COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths, 3,070 recoveries

 

File photo

 

Thailand on Tuesday (December 28) reported 2,305 new COVID-19 cases, 3,070 recoveries and 32 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244699-thailand-reports 2305-new-covid-19-cases-32-deaths-3070-recoveries/

 

Brit, 82, arrested in Nong Khai on child sex abuse charges

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Thailand's charismatic and well known policeman Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn said that he intends to rid Thailand of foreign pedophiles after a raid at a house in Nong Khai in the north east.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244716-brit-82-arrested-in-nong-khai-on-child-sex-abuse-charges/

 

Top Thai footballer killed in 'big bike" collision with 18 wheel truck

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported on the death in a motorcycle accident of the goalkeeper of the Army United football team. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244717-top-thai-footballer-killed-in-big-bike-collision-with-18-wheel-truck/

 

Israeli with Omicron who fled quarantine hotel flown back to Bangkok

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The Israeli man who fled a Sukhumvit Road hotel before waiting for a Covid-19 test result and subsequently tested positive for the Omicron variant has been flown back to Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244718-israeli-with-omicron-who-fled-quarantine-hotel-flown-back-to-bangkok/

 

 

Command center opened for "Seven Dangerous Days" on Thai roads - daily reports on the carnage

 

 

It's that time of the year again when the Thai authorities focus on the dangers on the nation's roads.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244721-command-center-opened-for-seven-dangerous-days-on-thai-roads-daily-reports-on-the-carnage/

 

Cha-Am: Two arrests for illegal weapons as police mount New Year crime crackdown at rodeo event

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media 77kaoded reported that the Cha-Am police chief Pol Col Wayuphak Wongsakdirin personally led a team of police to a "wua lan" or cow rodeo event in the area last night.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244722-cha-am-two-arrests-for-illegal-weapons-as-police-mount-new-year-crime-crackdown-at-rodeo-event/

 

Anutin admits some foreign tourists will bring in Omicron - but says its no worse than other variants

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported the latest comments from Thailand's public health minister and deputy prime minister Anutin Charvirakul yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244723-anutin-admits-some-foreign-tourists-will-bring-in-omicron-but-says-its-no-worse-than-other-variants/

Tourism group asks government to reconsider scrapping Test and Go; opposition MP urges compensation

By Erich Parpart

 

 

Tourism operators are urging the government to reconsider its quarantine policy and avoid another nationwide lockdown.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244725-tourism-group-asks-government-to-reconsider-scrapping-test-and-go-opposition-mp-urges-compensation/

 

Motorcycle taxi riders given electric bikes in EGAT pilot scheme

 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

Bangkok Business News reported on a ceremony attended by the head of the Electrical Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in which 51 electric motorcycles were given to taxi riders in the Bang Kruay area of Nonthaburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244727-motorcycle-taxi-riders-given-electric-bikes-in-egat-pilot-scheme/

 

Chonburi tourism leader calls for areas near Bangkok to be treated like Phuket Sandbox

 

Thanet Supharothatrangsi. File photo

 

The acting head of the Chonburi Tourism Business Association Thanet Supharothatrangsi said he had submitted letters to the Covid authorities and tourism minister Pipat and TAT chief Yutthasak.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244728-chonburi-tourism-leader-calls-for-areas-near-bangkok-to-be-treated-like-phuket-sandbox/

 

Pod of 100+ dolphins spotted by Thai Navy in Koh Tarutao area - points to Andamann sea health

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that the PR section of the Satun authorities had been contacted by the Thai Royal Navy after they spotted a pod of more than 100 dolphins in the south of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244730-pod-of-100-dolphins-spotted-by-thai-navy-in-koh-tarutao-area-points-to-andamann-sea-health/

 

UPDATE:

 

Level 3 Alert Issued due to Omicron spread

 

 

The Ministry of Public Health has raised Thailand’s COVID-19 alert to Level 3 amid rising Omicron coronavirus infections, while warning that new daily cases could reach as high as 30,000 in early 2022 unless strict measures are taken to curb the spread.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244627-grim-worst-case-for-thailand-next-year-if-people-lower-their-guard-against-covid-19/?do=findComment&comment=17076702

 

School children risking their lives daily on busy road - director calls for crossing and signage

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook went to investigate after a school in Nakhon Ratchasima contacted them about the dangerous road their students have to cross.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244734-school-children-risking-their-lives-daily-on-busy-road-director-calls-for-crossing-and-signage/

Government to reconsider work from home and online classes mandate after New Year

By Erich Parpart

 

 

The government said on Tuesday that it would consider reimplementing work from home and online schooling if the spread of the Omicron variant is uncontained after the New Year break.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244737-government-to-reconsider-work-from-home-and-online-classes-mandate-after-new-year/

 

Several factors make Thais vulnerable to Omicron variant infection

 

Photo from AFP

 

Thai people are at risk of COVID Omicron variant infection, depending on several factors, said Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, chief of the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre today (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244740-several-factors-make-thais-vulnerable-to-omicron-variant-infection/

 

Opinion: Mixed blessings for Thai-US relations

 

US President Joe Biden / AFP

 

Looking back over the past year, Thailand’s overall relations with all the great powers have been cordial and have moved in the right direction, except, that is, with the US.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244748-opinion-mixed-blessings-for-thai-us-relations/

Lifting the lid on Thailand’s ‘mystery box’ trend

 

Photo from Facebook Pimrypie

 

“Mystery boxes” have become a hot trend in recent months, as COVID-19 spurs a switch to online shopping in Thailand. One influencer, Pimrypie, even managed to sell Bt100 million worth of mystery boxes in less than 10 minutes. But not everyone was happy with the boxes’ mystery contents. Less than a month later, many buyers are seeking a refund.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244749-lifting-the-lid-on-thailand’s-‘mystery-box’-trend/

 

Grim economic outlook in Thailand if an Omicron outbreak drags on for months

 

 

Thai economists have expressed concern that an outbreak of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, if it drags on for a long period, will severely impact Thailand’s economic growth.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244750-grim-economic-outlook-in-thailand-if-an-omicron-outbreak-drags-on-for-months/

 

Israeli Who Escaped Quarantine Will be Charged and Deported

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai authorities are pressing charges against an Israeli tourist who escaped his quarantine hotel in Bangkok and will deport him after legal proceedings are concluded.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244753-israeli-who-escaped-quarantine-will-be-charged-and-deported/

 

Thailand to Proceed with Molnupiravir Procurement

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), has confirmed that Thailand will move forward with procuring 2 million tablets of the Molnupiravir COVID-19 treatment drug. The move comes amid reports that France has cancelled its own order of the anti-COVID pill due to unsatisfactory test results.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244755-thailand-to-proceed-with-molnupiravir-procurement/

 

Commerce ministry expects 3-4% export growth next year

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Exports continue to be the prime driver of Thailand’s economy during a time when commercial activities are upended by the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Commerce is confident that exports will grow by 16% this year and by 3-4% in 2022 despite the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1244757-commerce-ministry-expects-3-4-export-growth-next-year/