This week: mass murder aftermath, Putin visit, new Covid variants and more rain
Mass murder aftermath
His Majesty the King told bereaved families he shares their grief following the nursery massacre that killed dozens in Nong Bua Lamphu.
The king met survivors and relatives at Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital, ahead of royally-sponsored funerals and Tuesday's mass cremation.
Local media meanwhile were outraged by two foreign CNN journalists who reported from inside the nursery.
The two were photographed climbing a fence to leave the grounds, which were a crime scene.
Claiming they had official permission to enter the nursery, the journalists were found to have entered the country on tourist visas, prohibiting them from working.
The two had their visas revoked and left the country after each paying a 5,000 baht fine.
Putin to attend Apec summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Thailand's invitation to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok next month, according to a security source.
The Foreign Ministry has already informed security agencies to prepare security arrangements for the Nov 18-19 meeting.
US President Joe Biden will send a representative on his behalf while Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance is still pending confirmation.
A post on the Foreign Ministry's Line app stated that nine "economies" have responded positively to the invitation to attend, and claimed eight more are likely to attend.
Singapore variants 'not here yet'
The Department of Medical Sciences has denied the new Covid-19 BQ.1.1 and XBB variants from Singapore have entered Thailand yet.
Both new variants are more contagious than previous strains.
The daily Covid-19 case tally in Singapore has risen from 1,000 people in September to up to 7,000 in October.
The growing number of tourists between Thailand and Singapore means the new subvariants are expected to enter Thailand soon.
More heavy rain ahead
And finally, will it ever stop raining?
Provinces in the northeastern, eastern and central regions, including Greater Bangkok, are bracing for more heavy rain today, with forecasters warning it could worsen flooding in the country.
Compounding concerns, a large volume of water from the North is making its way down to the Central Plains provinces and is set to wreak further havoc on communities living along the Chao Phraya River, including those in Bangkok.
