Health Ministry Plans to Lower COVID Alert to Level 3

 

 

BANGKOK, Jan 18 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry will propose lowering COVID-19 alert from Level 4 to Level 3 and relaxed restrictions as the disease’s situation is stable.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247188-health-ministry-plans-to-lower-covid-alert-to-level-3/

Transport Min pushes for Suvarnabhumi expansion

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport is pushing for the expansion of Suvarnabhumi International Airport to prepare for more air travels.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247175-transport-min-pushes-for-suvarnabhumi-expansion/

One million signatures claimed in support of Amnesty International ousting

 

Image Credit: Amnesty International Thailand

 

Vice Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office Seksakol Atthawong claimed today (Tuesday) that he has collected up to a million signatures in support of his campaign to expel Amnesty International (AI) from Thailand, which he and his supporters accuse of being a threat to the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247183-one-million-signatures-claimed-in-support-of-amnesty-international-ousting/

Schools hold first on-site classes of 2022

 

 

CHIANG MAI (NNT) - Many schools have resumed on-site classes for their students, although most are not opting for 100% on-site learning and are still making use of online classes to reduce congestion and crowding.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247210-schools-hold-first-on-site-classes-of-2022/

Cabinet approves plans to attract long-stay foreigners to Thailand

 

A tourist enjoys the view of the Hong islands from the infinity pool of a resort on Koh Yao Yai island in the Andaman Sea on November 23, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

The Thai cabinet has approved, in principle, two ministerial announcements aimed at attracting four specific groups of foreigners to stay in Thailand for up to ten years, in the hope that they spend their wealth, invest or make use of their special skills for the development of the Thai economy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247214-cabinet-approves-plans-to-attract-long-stay-foreigners-to-thailand/

Tourism authorities and other sectors must work together to make sandbox program successful

By Natcha Patanasophon

 

 

All relevant government agencies must work more closely together if the sandbox program is to be successful, a analyst told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247235-tourism-authorities-and-other-sectors-must-work-together-to-make-sandbox-program-successful/

 

Thai Tourism and Sports Minister and Ministry of Public Health to propose “Test&Go” to resume possibly in February

By Nop Meechukhun

 

 

Bangkok – The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister is planning to propose to the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) the return of the “Test&Go” tourism program as early as this February to attract a year goal of about eight million international arrivals while expecting substantial tourism income.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247236-thai-tourism-and-sports-minister-and-ministry-of-public-health-to-propose-“testgo”-to-resume-possibly-in-february/

 

Group of Thai parents protest at the Thai Ministry of Education over mandatory Covid-19 testing and facial masks for students

By Nop Meechukhun

 

 

Bangkok – A group of parents arrived at the Ministry of Education yesterday, January 18th, 2022, to demand the cancellation of regular ATK (Rapid Covid-19) testing and the mandatory policy of wearing facial masks for students.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247237-group-of-thai-parents-protest-at-the-thai-ministry-of-education-over-mandatory-covid-19-testing-and-facial-masks-for-students/

 

Is it really worth the hassle to travel out of Thailand in the next few months?

 

With all the current issues related to Covid 19, including reams of paperwork and Covid tests required to fly to other neighboring Asian countries, it is still quite a hassle.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247242-is-it-really-worth-the-hassle-to-travel-out-of-thailand-in-the-next-few-months/

 

Hungarian wanted for insurance fraud arrested in Bangkok - he's on 4,254 days overstay

 

 

Thai immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Phakphumphiphat Sajjaphan speaking at HQ yesterday announced the arrest of a Hungarian man hiding out in Thailand on overstay.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247247-hungarian-wanted-for-insurance-fraud-arrested-in-bangkok-hes-on-4254-days-overstay/

 

Tragedy strikes wedding organizers on way home - mother and son dead - load in back of pick-up blamed

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported on the death of a mother and her son who were wedding organizers on their way back home to Suphanburi in central Thailand after a wedding event in Kanchanaburi.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247249-tragedy-strikes-wedding-organizers-on-way-home-mother-and-son-dead-load-in-back-of-pick-up-blamed/

 

Thailand reports 7,122 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths, 7,460 recoveries

 

File photo

 

Thailand on Wednesday (January 19) reported 7,122 new COVID-19 cases, 7,460 recoveries and 12 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247251-thailand-reports-7122-new-covid-19-cases-12-deaths-7460-recoveries/

 

Thai police hunt man who allegedly raped son's 15 year old girlfriend after plying her with booze 

 

Daily News caption: Hunt for father who raped (son's girlfriend)

 

Daily News reported on a case of alleged rape in Nonthaburi, north west of the Thai capital Bangkok on Sunday night. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247255-thai-police-hunt-man-who-allegedly-raped-sons-15-year-old-girlfriend-after-plying-her-with-booze/

 

DPM Wissanu advises Thai public to wait to plant marijuana

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath reported on the continuing uncertainty over the exact legal situation regarding the Thai public planting marijuana in their homes. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247258-dpm-wissanu-advises-thai-public-to-wait-to-plant marijuana/

 

New residency visas announced by Cabinet aimed at ‘high-potential’ foreigners 

 

File photo for reference only

 

The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle a couple of new visas aimed at luring “high-potential” foreigners to Thailand by offering them residency visas. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247259-new-residency-visas-announced-by-cabinet-aimed-at-‘high-potential’-foreigners/

 

Thai police find a million masks from China with "Japanese" labels - summonses in offing

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Economic Crime Division police raided a warehouse in the Phraeksa area of Samut Prakan south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247260-thai-police-find-a-million-masks-from-china-with-japanese-labels-summonses-in-offing/

 

Armed "Ya Ba" crazed man hijacks 18 wheeler and is chased for 54 kilometers in Bangkok suburbs

 

Picture: Saim Rath

 

Siam Rath reported that a Thai man high on alcohol and Ya Ba (methamphetamine mixed with caffeine) hijacked an 18 wheel truck-trailer in Samut Sakhon and headed for the Bangkok suburbs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247269-armed-ya-ba-crazed-man-hijacks-18-wheeler-and-is-chased-for-54-kilometers-in-bangkok-suburbs/

 

Anutin latest: ATK testing is up to schools' discretion - urges parents to allow kids to get vax next month

 

Picture: INN

 

INN reported on the comments of the Thai health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul after a group of parents went to see him to request that schools stop relying on ATK tests and stop insisting that students wear masks. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247271-anutin-latest-atk-testing-is-up-to-schools-discretion-urges-parents-to-allow-kids-to-get-vax-next-month/

 

Bangkok's hidden golf gems

 

 

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, is a treasure trove of wonderful surprises to delight all travelers, from backpackers to retirees.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247270-bangkoks-hidden-golf-gems/

 

Thailand Road Carnage continues: Motorcyclist unrecognisable after collision with pick-up in Trat

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on the continuing carnage on Thailand's roads - some of the deadliest in the world.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247276-thailand-road-carnage-continues-motorcyclist-unrecognisable-after-collision-with-pick-up-in-trat/

 

A tale of two by-elections: Polls offer clues as Thailand heads into election countdown 

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk  

 

One crucial question is whether the by-elections offer any clues to the result of the next general election. Yes and no, say the analysts. (Photo by Christophe Archambault)

 

Last Sunday’s by-elections in the southern provinces of Songkhla and Chumphon saw fierce battles between the ruling Palang Pracharath and Democrat Party coalition partners.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247277-a-tale-of-two-by-elections-polls-offer-clues-as-thailand-heads-into-election-countdown/

 

Impressive drone video offers unique close ups of Hua Hin’s new train station

By Paul Andrews

 

Image: Mike's Tropical Tech

 

A video shot by a local drone enthusiast offers a unique view of Hua Hin’s new train station, as well as the overall progress of the construction of the new dual track train line.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247281-impressive-drone-video-offers-unique-close-ups-of-hua-hin’s-new-train-station/

 

Controversial US YouTuber "My Mate Nate" announces tearful split with Thai wife

 

Sanook caption:"We've split up"

 

Controversial US YouTuber and content creator Nathan Bartling - who has 11 million followers on his "My Mate Nate" channel - appeared on a teary-eyed video with his Thai wife yesterday to announce they are splitting up. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247284-controversial-us-youtuber-my-mate-nate-announces-tearful-split-with-thai-wife/

 

Bangkok City Hall cancels Chinese New Year celebrations amid Omicron spread

 

 

Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok will be cancelled again this year to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247290-bangkok-city-hall-cancels-chinese-new-year-celebrations-amid-omicron-spread/

 

All choking aside, is Thailand making progress in battle with air pollution?

 

The World Bank estimates that air pollution-related healthcare expenses are equivalent to 4 percent of a country’s GDP. (Photo by Mladen Antonov / AFP)

 

Many Thais have developed a habit of checking the air quality index daily so they can take steps to protect themselves against lung-busting PM2.5 dust. However, the quest for clean air and easy breathing is costing them up to Bt1.67 billion per year in masks and medical expenses.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247291-all-choking-aside-is-thailand-making-progress-in-battle-with-air-pollution/

 

Golf: 3 million baht on offer at Season Opening of Thailand Mixed

By Adam Judd

 

 

Thailand-The first Thailand Mixed event of 2022 will tee off between February 10-13 at the Springfield Royal Country Club in Cha-am, Petchaburi with total prize money of Bt3 million up for grabs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247293-golf-3-million-baht-on-offer-at-season-opening-of-thailand-mixed/

 

New Party launched by former members of the ruling party

By Erich Parpart

 

 

A new political party was launched by former ministers from the ruling party on Wednesday. The party, Sang Anakot Thai or Building Thailand’s Future, was formed by former finance minister Uttama Savanayana and former energy minister Sontirat Sonthijirawong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247296-new-party-launched-by-former-members-of-the-ruling-party/

 

Ex-Thai PM Thaksin claims major pork merchants are hoarding frozen meat

 

Thaksin Shinawatra (Tony Woodsome)

 

Exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed that there are 4 or 5 major pork merchants who have cold storage facilities in Thailand, each with the capacity to store up to 400,000 kgs of frozen pork for up to six months, and that they have been hoarding pork for profiteering purposes.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247298-ex-thai-pm-thaksin-claims-major-pork-merchants-are-hoarding-frozen-meat/

 

 

Government’s special savings bonds worth ฿30bn sell out in two days

 

Director of the Public Debt Management Office Patricia Mongkhonvanit

 

The Thai Government’s special savings bonds, for people aged 60 and above, sold like hot cake as the 30 billion baht worth sold out in two days when they went on sale on Monday, according to Director of the Public Debt Management Office Patricia Mongkhonvanit.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247311-government’s-special-savings-bonds-worth-฿30bn-sell-out-in-two-days/

 

Resumption of ‘Test and Go’ registrations, new COVID measures, to be decided by CCSA Thursday

 

International visitors await instructions from health officials inside the arrival terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as Thailand welcomes the first group of vaccinated tourists without quarantine in Bangkok on November 1, 2021./ AFP

 

The resumption of new “Test and Go” registrations, COVID-19 rezoning and yet another extension of Thailand’s nationwide State of Emergency, in place since March 2020, will be proposed to and decided by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) tomorrow (Thursday).

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247313-resumption-of-‘test-and-go’-registrations-new-covid-measures-to-be-decided-by-ccsa-thursday/