Latest Thailand News, from Fabulous 103 in Pattaya (28 January 2022)
Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has clarified that simply stating that Southeast Life Insurance is closing down is not an option under the closely overseen insurance regulations in Thailand. Following the parent companies announcement, the OIC has clarified that the company has to seek permission to close first, showing its ability AND strategy for covering all existing outgoings AND refunds. Thai group holdings PLC, the parent company reported massive losses due to inexpensive covid insurance policies sold to millions. Many companies have since STOPPED selling these or renewing existing ones but for policyholders, the future has to be to look elsewhere for cover as it’s likely that full documentation WILL be supplied to the commission and then approval given. Currently the insurance company has to remain legally operational until authorized otherwise
In Rayong the agencies involved in clearing up a huge oil slick are convinced that their prompt reaction will stop the oil from reaching any shorelines. A kilometer square system of boons was set up to try and keep it all in one place and helicopters have been dousing it with chemicals designed to break the crude oil down
Confirmed reports indicate that the African swine fever which was first spotted just a week or so ago in a single carcass, has now spread to locations within 13 different provinces. The virus, lethal to pigs but with no effect on human beings, has seen lock down measures at each farm where the virus has been found but it is expected that more cases WILL be reported. Experts are working with foreign specialists in countries where the virus has been common for a while, to set up a procedure that mirrors theirs and contains the virus quickly.
Thailand and Saudi Arabia have agreed to fully restore diplomatic relations, after a three decade break, and work on numerous projects that benefit both countries. It’s expected that Saudi Arabia will appoint an ambassador to Thailand, a first after so many years, and in addition to trade and commerce, tourism will resume and Thai workers will find it easier to apply for work there too. This follows a visit by the Thai PM during which, we are told, relations were
healed between the two countries
When 5 men stopped 2 others and told them that they were being investigated and that they were undercover police officers, the duo were more than surprised, as in fact THEY were cops, albeit out of uniform. Ang Thong authorities quickly located the gang and found them to have fake police ID. So with the tables turned it’s THEY who face jail now.
And in Lopburi when a 42 yr old man left his marital home for a relatives wedding, what he DIDN’T tell his wife was, that he was off to get married. Seems he had been living a double life for quite a while according to his legal wife who had even gone as far as to send a 1K baht gift to the so called relatives. She found out when he finally came home and fell asleep, as she sneaked a peek at his fb pages, and saw him, dressed to impress with his new bride. Needless to say she has kicked him out.
Meanwhile at home and in Pattaya, more and more former pubs now diners, along with genuine diners are being visited by police around the whole region, checking on SHA+ conditions being implemented. Several managers have been arrested at locations that either flaunted the rules or opened outside legal hours .
The region is readying itself for the relaunch of the test and go procedure for arrivals in Thailand that resumes next week and allows visitors to arrive, stay one day in an hotel while waiting for Covid-19 test results, and then return on day 5 of their trip for similar. With hotels readying themselves for business, the issue has been what to do with visitors who FAIL tests. That’s been dealt with as, according to the Chonburi tourism and sport director, 5% of all SHA+ plus hotel rooms will be reserved for those who fail but do not need to be hospitalized. In making the decision it’s has been assumed that tourists are visitors, not having homes here, and if they fail testing DO need somewhere they are ALLOWED to stay. Previously claims have been made of hotels, specifically on Phuket, telling Covid-19 positive guests to LEAVE, and incurring high hospital bills but with Omicron no worse than a bad flu, it seems that travelers have less to worry about
… and a video report seeing Tony Justice, of Magna Carta Law offices answering legal question sent in by listeners and viewers will be online this weekend, with a link from our website. In the interview he also explains how expats CAN borrow against property safely.
Source: Youtube