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/

Omicron guidelines set, mild and asymptomatic cases to be isolated at home or state facilities

 

File / Beds and items provided to patients in a field hospital set up in the Bangkok Arena indoor multi-purpose sporting venue to accomodate an upsurge in the number of Covid-19 coronavirus cases in the country.

 

Thailand’s Medical Services Department has issued a set of guidelines to deal with COVID-19 Omicron variant cases, to ensure the infected are provided with safe and timely treatment. The department has divided Omicron cases into asymptomatic, probable cases and mild cases, who can be isolated at home or in community facilities, and the severe cases who need to be hospitalised.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245508-omicron-guidelines-set-mild-and-asymptomatic-cases-to-be-isolated-at-home-or-state-facilities/

 

With over 2,000 Omicron cases in Thailand so far, expert predicts beginning of new wave

 

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

 

With over 2,000 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus detected in Thailand to date according to the Ministry of Public Health, the country is entering a widespread wave of COVID-19 infections in the next two years, following the long New Year holidays, which will see daily infections spiking into the tens of thousands of cases in the near future, predicted Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs, a doctor specializing in respiratory and pulmonary diseases at Vichaiyut hospital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245510-with-over-2000-omicron-cases-in-thailand-so-far-expert-predicts-beginning-of-new-wave/

 

Expert Predicts Rise in COVID-19 Cases But Herd Immunity Possibility From Omicron

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - A medical expert has indicated that Thailand will soon face a surge in COVID-19 infections, but says he believes the Omicron coronavirus variant will develop into a live vaccine that provides immunity without the need for booster shots.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245512-expert-predicts-rise-in-covid-19-cases-but-herd-immunity-possibility-from-omicron/

Two COVID-positive Indian tourists found after travelling from Chon Buri to Bangkok

 

 

Two Indian tourists, who arrived in Thailand through the “Test and Go” scheme, tested positive for the coronavirus in their second test, but they had already left Chon Buri province for Bangkok when the results became available. They have been located today (Tuesday), according the Tourist Police Bureau.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245569-two-covid-positive-indian-tourists-found-after-travelling-from-chon-buri-to-bangkok/

 

Thick Fine Dust Forecast on Jan 5-10

 

 

B ANGKOK, Jan 4 (TNA) – The Pollution Control Department warns thick fine dust will blanket Greater Bangkok on Jan 5-10 due to air stagnation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245570-thick-fine-dust-forecast-on-jan-5-10/

 

37-year-old man arrested with illegal weapons collection in Chonburi

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Chonburi – A 37-year-old man has been arrested with an illegal weapons collection in Mueang Chonburi yesterday (January 3rd).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245571-37-year-old-man-arrested-with-illegal-weapons-collection-in-chonburi/

 

Pattaya mayor says no plans for lockdowns, widespread business or beach closures as city deals with rising Covid-19 cases

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

PHOTO: Sophon Cable (STV)

 

Pattaya – The Pattaya City Mayor stated today, January 4th, 2022, that widespread business or public area closures will not be part of the plan to deal with many confirmed Covid -19 cases in the Banglamung area, many of which seem to be the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245572-pattaya-mayor-says-no-plans-for-lockdowns-widespread-business-or-beach-closures-as-city-deals-with-rising-covid-19-cases/

 

Air force seeks eight F35 fighter jets at a time when Thailand’s defence budget is at a low ebb

by Joseph O' Connor

 

Air Chief Marshal Napadej Dhupatemiya of the Royal Thai Air Force, this week, outlined a plan to procure 8 F35 fighter jets from the United States. It comes at a time when the kingdom’s defence budget is at a low ebb after three years of economic difficulty and demands on the government imposed by the virus crisis. It also coincides with heightened tensions in the Asia Pacific and growth in potential threats

 

Thailand’s military defence expenditure has not been above the NATO recommended level of 2% of GDP since 1997, the year of the Asian Financial Crisis. This year it is projected to be 1.22% or even lower but just above a historic low of 1.05% in 2005 under the popular government of Thaksin Shinawatra which consistently cut spending on arms.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245573-air-force-seeks-eight-f35-fighter-jets-at-a-time-when-thailand’s-defence-budget-is-at-a-low-ebb/

 

Thailand Presses On With Provincial Airport Developments Despite Having Low Or No Commercial Air Traffic

Boonsong Kosit

 

 

Thai authorities remain keen to upgrade and expand state-owned provincial airports and even build new ones, even though many existing ones are barely utilised or are ‘ghost airports.’

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245574-thailand-presses-on-with-provincial-airport-developments-despite-having-low-or-no-commercial-air-traffic/

 

COVID-19: Thailand reports 3,899 new coronavirus cases, 19 deaths, 2,508 recoveries

 

File photo

 

Thailand on Wednesday (January 5) reported 3,899 new COVID-19 cases, 2,508 recoveries and 19 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245588-covid-19-thailand-reports-3899-new-coronavirus-cases-19-deaths-2508-recoveries/

 

Red Bull Boss: Time is running out to prosecute rich scion - Will justice prevail in the end?

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News was in wistful mood as they contemplated another year in which the Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya remains on the run.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245591-red-bull-boss-time-is-running-out-to-prosecute-rich-scion-will-justice-prevail-in-the-end/

 

Fugitive former PM Thaksin suggests Thailand needs a "smart leader" - HIM!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - also known these days as Tony Woodsome - went on his Facebook and YouTube channels last night with some New Year messages for the Thai people.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245599-fugitive-former-pm-thaksin-suggests-thailand-needs-a-smart-leader-him/

Customer gets maggots in their duck dinner: "What more do you want - I already gave you a discount", says owner

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

It was another case in Thailand of the customer not being right but being wrong!

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245600-customer-gets-maggots-in-their-duck-dinner-what-more-do-you-want-i-already-gave-you-a-discount-says-owner/

 

Shoes at pond lead relatives to tragic discovery - two drowned kids under the water

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on the tragic death of two children in Chachoengsao in east/central Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245601-shoes-at-pond-lead-relatives-to-tragic-discovery-two-drowned-kids-under-the-water/

 

Child dead in car: Neighbors speak of horrific abuse that nearly left boy handicapped 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on a horrific tale of child abuse admitted by a step father.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245602-child-dead-in-car-neighbors-speak-of-horrific-abuse-that-nearly-left-boy-handicapped/

 

Rare Manta rays found around Thailand’s Rok Islands

 

 

People snorkelling in the waters surrounding the Rok Islands in the Andaman Sea, off Thailand’s southern province of Trang, have sighted Manta Rays, a vulnerable species and the largest type of ray in the world, for the first time in about 18 years.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245603-rare-manta-rays-found-around-thailand’s-rok-islands/

 

Hospitals around the country told to prepare for surge in cases

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Hospitals throughout Thailand have been told to prepare for a surge in cases due to close contact and extensive travel over the new year period, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245605-hospitals-around-the-country-told-to-prepare-for-surge-in-cases/

 

World famous Khaosan Road closed temporarily after Covid cases found

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Bangkok’s world famous tourist destination Khaosan Road will continue to be shut until Thursday due to covid cases found over the new year celebration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245609-world-famous-khaosan-road-closed-temporarily-after-covid-cases-found/

 

COVID cases on the rise in Phuket, 167 Omicron infections detected so far

 

 

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in Thailand’s Phuket province over the past week, with  a total of 167 COVID-19 Omicron variant cases among Thais and foreign tourists being detected to date, according to provincial health chief Dr. Kusak Kukiattikul.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245614-covid-cases-on-the-rise-in-phuket-167-omicron-infections-detected-so-far/

 

Video: Truck on hill topples over spilling all its load in NW Thailand

 

Picture: TNA

 

TNA reported on an accident video posted by a civil servant in Tak, north west Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245615-video-truck-on-hill-topples-over-spilling-all-its-load-in-nw-thailand/

 

Thai govt denies people can't get free Covid treatment in private hospitals and non-vaxxed must pay

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The Thai government spokesman was quick to deny rumors circulating on social media related to treatment for Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245617-thai-govt-denies-people-cant-get-free-covid-treatment-in-private-hospitals-and-non-vaxxed-must-pay/

 

DUI: More than double cases this New Year a result of more proactive measures

 

Picture: INN

 

The chief of Thailand's probation department reported that the number of DUI cases in the "seven deadly days" of New Year had more than doubled over 2020/21.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245619-dui-more-than-double-cases-this-new-year-a-result-of-more-proactive-measures/

 

Good Samaritan catches car thief - he's pictured tied to a tree as police get to the scene!

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

77kaoded reported on an extraordinary theft of a pick-up from a PTT gas station on the Petchkasem Highway in Phetchaburi, south/central Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245623-good-samaritan-catches-car-thief-hes-pictured-tied-to-a-tree-as-police-get-to-the-scene/

 

Grocer expects lottery lolly after python comes for the lollies!

 

Channel 7 Thai caption: Python hiding under the ice creams - New Year good fortune.

 

Sixty five year old grocer Napha called the snake catchers to her shop after she got a nasty early morning shock.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245627-grocer-expects-lottery-lolly-after-python-comes-for-the-lollies/

 

Nationwide air quality readings satisfactory, with little airborne dust

By: Namo Vananupong

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Nationwide air quality readings were satisfactory yesterday (4 Jan), with little accumulation of airborne particulate matter. In Bangkok, the temporary implementation of the Work from Home model at public offices has trimmed the number of cars on the roads and this has contributed to the improved air quality.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245630-nationwide-air-quality-readings-satisfactory-with-little-airborne-dust/

 

UPDATE:

 

Khao San Road Closes For Three Days After Ten Covid-19 Cases Found

By: Natthaphon  Sangpolsit

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The famous Khao San Road will be closed for three days after ten tourists who visited the area during New Year were tested positive for Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245609-world-famous-khaosan-road-closed-temporarily-after-covid-cases-found/?do=findComment&comment=17094278

 

Fewer people die, injured in Thailand’s road accidents during holidays than past new year

 

 

Fewer people died and got injured in road accidents in Thailand during the recent New Year holidays than in the same period last year, with a total of 333 deaths and 2,672 injured people recorded in 2,707 separate accidents across Thailand during the one-week watch period from December 29th through January 4th, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245647-fewer-people-die-injured-in-thailand’s-road-accidents-during-holidays-than-past-new-year/

Thai agriculture ministry considers live pig export ban to control pork price

 

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives will consult the Commerce Ministry over a temporary ban on the export of live pigs, to ease skyrocketing pork prices which are affecting vendors and consumers.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245648-thai-agriculture-ministry-considers-live-pig-export-ban-to-control-pork-price/

 

PM Following Up on Construction Progress at Betong Airport

 

 

YALA (NNT) - Betong Airport in Yala is now seeing a number of private charter flights and those paid for by public agencies, while commercial airlines have started submitting flight routes that operate into and out of the airport. Meanwhile, the prime minister has been keeping abreast of the airport’s construction progress.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1245649-pm-following-up-on-construction-progress-at-betong-airport/