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Election Commission calls fading ink pens in polling booths “fake news” Photo by the Election Commission Warnings that voters should not use pens provided in voting booths, because the ink they contain will “disappear” allowing ballots to be re-marked, was dismissed as fake news by Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294507-election-commission-calls-fading-ink-pens-in-polling-booths-“fake-news”/

Photo by the Election Commission Warnings that voters should not use pens provided in voting booths, because the ink they contain will “disappear” allowing ballots to be re-marked, was dismissed as fake news by Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday. The warning also suggested that voters use their own pens to mark their ballots in the general election this Sunday. The EC said on its Facebook page that ill-intentioned people were disseminating false information, adding that the pens in the voting booths are standard ballpoint pens, the ink from which does not “disappear”. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/election-commission-calls-fading-ink-pens-in-polling-booths-fake-news/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Southern Thailand’s struggle to attract foreign investors Photo Courtesy Channel News Asia The Southern Region Industrial Estate in Songkhla province of Thailand is unusually quiet. Long winding roads, usually bustling with heavy vehicles, are mostly empty. There are only two industrial estates in southern Thailand, the other being the Songkla Industrial Estate. In total, there are 67 industrial estates across the country. Sirianya Pornsuwankun, a tenant of the Southern Region Industrial Estate and owner of waste recycling company Nano Recycle, said doing business in southern Thailand is different from other parts of the country. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294503-southern-thailand’s-struggle-to-attract-foreign-investors/

Photo Courtesy Channel News Asia The Southern Region Industrial Estate in Songkhla province of Thailand is unusually quiet. Long winding roads, usually bustling with heavy vehicles, are mostly empty. There are only two industrial estates in southern Thailand, the other being the Songkla Industrial Estate. In total, there are 67 industrial estates across the country. Sirianya Pornsuwankun, a tenant of the Southern Region Industrial Estate and owner of waste recycling company Nano Recycle, said doing business in southern Thailand is different from other parts of the country. Some experts believe that southern Thailand struggles to attract foreign investors compared to the Greater Bangkok area and the eastern side, where the majority of the industrial estates are located. The perception of southern Thailand as unsafe due to ongoing insurgencies in the provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat may have hampered economic growth. Last year, Thailand’s economy grew at 2.6%, significantly lower than other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Indonesia, which registered 8.7% and 5.3% growth, respectively. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have projected Thailand’s gross domestic product growth to be below 4% this year. In hopes of stimulating the economy, politicians have made electoral promises to attract foreign investment to the region. The Democrat Party, which held a stronghold in the previous election mainly in southern Thailand, has ambitious plans for the region. Niphon Bunyamanee, the party’s deputy leader, envisions Hat Yai—Songkhla province’s commercial hub—as an economic powerhouse rivaling Singapore and Hong Kong. He believes Hat Yai’s strategic location near the Gulf of Thailand and the Malaysian border offers immense potential. Prommin Lertsuridej, the head of the Pheu Thai Party’s economic affairs committee, said his party aims to establish a new business zone in Songkhla as a pilot project for the southern region. They hope to make business laws more accessible, create facilities for foreign and domestic investors to collaborate, and actively promote peace and prosperity in the region. Although he did not reveal specifics, Prommin claimed Pheu Thai has drafted the law for the proposed business zone, reports Channel News Asia. Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stated that he would push for more infrastructure in the south if he remained in power. Running for the premiership with the newly formed United Thai Nation Party, Prayut said his next government would do more to help southern Thailand, such as building a new highway and pushing forward other ongoing infrastructure projects. He cited dual-track trains linking Thailand with Malaysia and bridging the Andaman side to the Gulf of Thailand side to boost the economy. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/southern-thailands-struggle-to-attract-foreign-investors -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Phuket expecting fewer low season tourists due to Chinese market slowdown Flickr/Dawn in Phuket, Thailand The Phuket Tourist Association says the island can expect fewer international tourists this low season, due to a slowdown in the Chinese market, coupled with the collapse of an Indian discount airline. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294501-phuket-expecting-fewer-low-season-tourists-due-to-chinese-market-slowdown/

Flickr/Dawn in Phuket, Thailand The Phuket Tourist Association says the island can expect fewer international tourists this low season, due to a slowdown in the Chinese market, coupled with the collapse of an Indian discount airline. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the PTA, says there are now only around 40 flights a day a day from China and the bankruptcy of low-cost Indian carrier Go First will also affect flight capacity. Go First was offering a lot of direct flights from India to Phuket prior to its recent collapse. According to a Bangkok Post report, the PTA expects Phuket’s tourism market to see a recovery rate of just 50% of 2019 levels. Thaneth says tourism operators on the island are now targeting the Middle-East, including the Saudi market. He points out that Bangkok welcomes a number of direct flights from cities in Saudi Arabia, as Phuket does from Middle-East hubs such as Dubai and Qatar. Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-expecting-fewer-low-season-tourists-due-to-chinese-market-slowdown/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Phuket officials target motorbike rental operators to improve road safety PHOTO: www.thavornbeachvillage.com Phuket officials will inspect motorbike rental shops as part of new measures aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on the island’s roads. The Phuket News reports that the measures were confirmed at a meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam on Monday, May 8. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294500-phuket-officials-target-motorbike-rental-operators-to-improve-road-safety/

PHOTO: www.thavornbeachvillage.com Phuket officials will inspect motorbike rental shops as part of new measures aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on the island’s roads. The Phuket News reports that the measures were confirmed at a meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam on Monday, May 8. Almost on a weekly basis there is some foreigner calling for financial assistance on a GoFundMe page following a motorbike incident in Phuket. Without the rider having a proper Thai motorbike license, the insurance companies refuse to pay any hospital bills. The meeting was also attended by Adcha Buachan, chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office, along with senior-ranking police officers and representatives of other relevant agencies. Attendees discussed and drafted guidelines aimed at controlling rental motorbikes on the island, with an emphasis on safety. Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-officials-target-motorbike-rental-operators-to-improve-road-safety/ -- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Phuket Launches Sterilization Project to Control Local Monkey Population PHUKET (NNT) - Phuket authorities have initiated a project to control the monkey population in the island province in order to reduce monkey attacks and the risk of diseases that can be transmitted from monkeys to humans. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294498-phuket-launches-sterilization-project-to-control-local-monkey-population/

PHUKET (NNT) - Phuket authorities have initiated a project to control the monkey population in the island province in order to reduce monkey attacks and the risk of diseases that can be transmitted from monkeys to humans. Pongchart Chueahom, head of the Khao Phra Taeo Natural and Wildlife Center in Phuket’s Thalang district, disclosed that the project aims to sterilize around 500 monkeys in different locations. The project is part of efforts to curb the rising monkey population that could pose a threat to local residents and tourists on the island. The head of the wildlife center stressed the importance of addressing the situation, citing increasing frequency of confrontations between monkeys and tourists as well as local residents, as more monkeys venture into residential areas. Pongchart also expressed concern for public health security as some diseases can be transmitted from monkeys to humans. He has advised guests who came across monkeys in resorts and hotels not to feed them because this would encourage undesired behavior, which could lead to disturbances and unwanted incidents. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230510144707389 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Laotian woman gives birth in pickup truck on Thai road Photo Courtesy Sanook At around 2am yesterday, volunteer staff from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation received a report of a woman giving birth in a pickup truck on Tiwanon Road, near the Amphornphisarn intersection in Bang Phut Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi. The emergency team quickly arrived at the location to provide assistance reports Sanook. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294497-laotian-woman-gives-birth-in-pickup-truck-on-thai-road/

Photo Courtesy Sanook At around 2am yesterday, volunteer staff from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation received a report of a woman giving birth in a pickup truck on Tiwanon Road, near the Amphornphisarn intersection in Bang Phut Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi. The emergency team quickly arrived at the location to provide assistance reports Sanook. Upon arriving at the scene, they found a black Toyota Hilux Revo, license plate number 8K.6764 Bangkok. In the backseat of the vehicle, they found a Laotian woman identified as Xem, who had just given birth to a baby boy. Her husband, Phakphum, 22 years old, a general worker, was in good spirits but was taken aback by the in-car birth. The Poh Teck Tung Foundation team then hurriedly transported the mother and the newborn to the Irrigation Department Hospital in Pak Kret. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/laotian-woman-gives-birth-in-pickup-truck-on-thai-road -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

EXAT Conducts Investigation Into Falling Expressway Beam Incident BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the fatal accident involving a falling expressway beam on Sunday (7 May), the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is conducting a probe into the incident, as well as initially fining its contractor 210 million baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294495-exat-conducts-investigation-into-falling-expressway-beam-incident/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the fatal accident involving a falling expressway beam on Sunday (7 May), the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is conducting a probe into the incident, as well as initially fining its contractor 210 million baht. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk noted that all parties have launched an investigation into the Sunday accident, in which a precast beam for the new Rama III-Bangkok western ring road expressway project collapsed onto the Rama II road, killing a construction worker and damaging four cars. Surachet added that construction has been suspended for seven days and the contractor, CTB Joint Venture, will face a daily fine of up to 30 million baht under the terms of its contract with EXAT. The EXAT governor added that he has invited the Engineering Institute of Thailand to help investigate the accident with all related parties. He emphasized that if the investigation determines the incident was the result of irresponsibility, EXAT will take legal action against the company and ban it from future contracts with the state agency. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230510140743366 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thailand and UAE launch first free trade agreement Image courtesy of Bangkok Post Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) revealed the launch of their first free trade agreement (FTA) on Tuesday. The FTA aims to create new opportunities for trade, services, and investment between the two nations, expecting to boost bilateral trade by 10% within the first year of implementation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294494-thailand-and-uae-launch-first-free-trade-agreement/

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) revealed the launch of their first free trade agreement (FTA) on Tuesday. The FTA aims to create new opportunities for trade, services, and investment between the two nations, expecting to boost bilateral trade by 10% within the first year of implementation. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, announced the agreement after a teleconference. Discussions progressed rapidly between the two nations following Laksanawisit’s official visit to the UAE earlier this year. Negotiations for the Thailand-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement took place over three months, leading to talks scheduled for May 16-18 in Dubai. In this significant meeting, high-ranking government officials participated, led by the director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations. The department head was appointed to lead the delegation, aiming to finalise the agreement within six months or by the end of this year. According to Laksanawisit, this FTA has the potential to become one of the fastest negotiations in history, taking only nine months to complete. Following the conclusion of talks, both sides will spend another six months for internal procedures and seek cabinet and parliament approval. If parliament approves, the FTA is expected to be enforced by mid-next year. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thailand-and-uae-launch-first-free-trade-agreement -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Grab Thailand launches ‘GrabMart Durian Festival’ Grab Thailand announced that the volume of durians sold on GrabMart in the summer season grew by 70% in 2022 compared with the previous year. This year, further growth was driven by an increase of 40% in orders from international tourists during the Songkran Festival. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294492-grab-thailand-launches-‘grabmart-durian-festival’/

Grab Thailand announced that the volume of durians sold on GrabMart in the summer season grew by 70% in 2022 compared with the previous year. This year, further growth was driven by an increase of 40% in orders from international tourists during the Songkran Festival. In response, Grab has launched the “GrabMart Durian Festival” campaign to offer deals and discounts from fruit shops nationwide to local and foreign durian lovers, aiming to emphasise its leadership as Thailand’s No.1 groceries quick commerce app that serves the needs of users in every moment. Panomkorn Jirasatienpong, Head of Marketing at Grab Thailand, said… “Every summer, Thai fruits are among the best-selling items on GrabMart, especially durians – the King of Fruits, which enjoys popularity among Thai and foreign consumers alike due to its creamy texture, sweet taste, and unique smell. “In 2022, durian sales on GrabMart grew by 70%, compared with the previous year [comparison of durian sales on GrabMart between April to May 2021 and 2022]. We have seen the rising demand for durian via online platforms this year, benefiting from the reopening of the country. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/grab-thailand-launches-grabmart-durian-festival -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thai stock market rebounds with net inflows as investors absorb negative US news Image courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai stock market has begun experiencing net inflows this week after significant capital outflows during the first four months of the year, according to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Investors have seemingly absorbed negative news regarding the US banking crisis and the possibility of a recession. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294490-thai-stock-market-rebounds-with-net-inflows-as-investors-absorb-negative-us-news/

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post The Thai stock market has begun experiencing net inflows this week after significant capital outflows during the first four months of the year, according to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Investors have seemingly absorbed negative news regarding the US banking crisis and the possibility of a recession. Soraphol Tulayasathien, a senior executive vice president, expressed hope that May would be a turning point for the bourse, as the index declined 5% in April and 8.4% year-to-date. He attributed the decrease primarily to the number of holidays and noted similar trends in other ASEAN bourses. In April, the average daily trading value of the SET and Market for Alternative Investment fell 43.1% compared to the same period in 2022, reaching 46.8 billion baht. For the third consecutive month, foreign investors were net sellers, with 7.9 billion baht after a four-month net buying streak. Nonetheless, their trading ratio remained higher than other types of investors for 12 consecutive months. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-stock-market-rebounds-with-net-inflows-as-investors-absorb-negative-us-news -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thaksin will Go to Jail If He Returns to Thailand, Caretaker Deputy PM Says Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently living in self-exile in Dubai, must serve his sentence in prison, not house arrest, if he returns home to Thailand, caretaker deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294489-thaksin-will-go-to-jail-if-he-returns-to-thailand-caretaker-deputy-pm-says/

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently living in self-exile in Dubai, must serve his sentence in prison, not house arrest, if he returns home to Thailand, caretaker deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said. Wissanu responded to Thaksin’s latest Tweet, in which he vows to return home before his 74th birthday on July 26th, saying the former PM must be imprisoned if he did return. Thaksin tweeted that he is willing to go through the legal process in exchange for him to be home with his family and his grandchild. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/05/10/thaksin-will-go-to-jail-if-he-returns-to-thailand-caretaker-deputy-pm-says/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Thai, Chinese Police Cooperate in Crackdown on Chinese Crooks BANGKOK, May 10 (TNA) – National police chief sent Thai immigration police to China to work with Chinese police in a crackdown on Chinese criminals using Thailand as their base for illegal activities. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294488-thai-chinese-police-cooperate-in-crackdown-on-chinese-crooks/

BANGKOK, May 10 (TNA) – National police chief sent Thai immigration police to China to work with Chinese police in a crackdown on Chinese criminals using Thailand as their base for illegal activities. Thai immigration police flew to China to seek cooperation and exchange of information with Chinese police. The one –week trip from May 5-11 is aimed to prevent Chinese criminals from fleeing to Thailand and using the kingdom as hideouts. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1169842 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2023-05-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Bang Rakam Water Project Raises Income for Farmers BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bang Rakam Model project, now in its seventh year, has been deemed successful in providing farmers with adequate amounts of water to grow crops and boost their income. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1294487-bang-rakam-water-project-raises-income-for-farmers/