snoop1130

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to expand the Khao San water splashing zone to include Bang Lamphu and Ratchadamnoen for next year’s Songkran festival. The move was announced by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, following the success of 2023 Songkran festival in the capital with both Thai and foreign revelers enjoying the festivities. However, he indicated that the first day of Songkran saw overcrowding on Khao San Road, one of Bangkok’s main water splashing sites. This led to the governor reaching the decision to expand the area to include Bang Lamphu and Ratchadamnoen. The Bangkok Governor applauded this year’s Songkran events, which were organized on a full scale compared to previous subdued events during the pandemic. About 20,000 people visited Lan Khon Muang Plaza in front of Bangkok City Hall, and 50,000 people visited Khao San Road each day. In Silom, there were 25,000-30,000 visitors on the first day, 35,000-40,000 on the second day and about 50,000 on the third day. In Siam Square and the Pathumwan district, about 900,000 to 1 million people visited over 4 days, illustrating the popularity of Songkran among Thais and foreigners. Governor Chadchart further noted that the crowding problem on Khao San Road was due to too many revelers, which was addressed by implementing a one-way walking route on April 14. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230424150413727 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-04-24 - 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.

Transwoman fined for dancing naked on Bang Saen Beach Photo via Facebook/ Sawas Ponchiyapoom Police fined a Thai transwoman 2,000 baht for dancing naked during Wan Lai along Bang Saen Beach Road last week. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292977-transwoman-fined-for-dancing-naked-on-bang-saen-beach/

Photo via Facebook/ Sawas Ponchiyapoom Police fined a Thai transwoman 2,000 baht for dancing naked during Wan Lai along Bang Saen Beach Road last week. A video of the naked dance was circulated on Thai Twitter and quickly went viral on Sunday, April 16. In the video, the transwoman can be seen dancing on top of an ice bucket, taking off her panties and hanging her tiny bikini top around her waist, exposing her breasts and vagina. Watch the video HERE. The incident has sparked mixed reactions from Thai netizens, with some finding it amusing while others criticized the transwoman for spoiling the image of Wan Lai, also known as the Flowing Day Celebration, and Chon Buri province. Following an investigation by the Saen Sook Police Station, the transwoman was identified as 28 year old Auttawit. She was arrested at her house in Bangkok on Friday, April 21. Auttawit admitted to her action. She claimed that she was not drunk but did it impulsively. She knew that her video would go viral as she saw many people recording videos while she was dancing. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/transwoman-fined-for-dancing-naked-on-bang-saen-beach -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-24 - 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.

Domestic Thai Tourists Allegedly Duped by Fake Villa Rental Service in Pattaya Many domestic Thai tourists were allegedly scammed out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292976-domestic-thai-tourists-allegedly-duped-by-fake-villa-rental-service-in-pattaya/

Many domestic Thai tourists were allegedly scammed out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Ms. Achiraya Malarat, a 27-year-old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, contacted The Pattaya News to expose a scammer disguised as a pool villa operator on Facebook. She said on April 18th, she and her family wanted to visit Pattaya for a break and for Pattaya’s famous Wan Lai Songkran Festival, so she contacted a Facebook page named “Pool Villa Pattaya by Kanda” to book a villa. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/24/domestic-thai-tourists-allegedly-duped-by-fake-villa-rental-service-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-04-24 - 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.

Navy Releases Artificial Reefs to Help Protect Marine Wildlife CHONBURI (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy and its partners have successfully released 69 units of artificial coral reefs on the seabed of Koh Samae San in Sattahip district of Chonburi province. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292975-navy-releases-artificial-reefs-to-help-protect-marine-wildlife/

CHONBURI (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy and its partners have successfully released 69 units of artificial coral reefs on the seabed of Koh Samae San in Sattahip district of Chonburi province. The activity was part of the celebrations for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s birthday on the 2nd of April. Gen Surayud Chulanont, President of the Privy Council and Chairman of the Khao Yai Protection Foundation, was present to chair the event. The artificial reefs are part of a plant genetics conservation project initiated by the Princess since 1998, in order to promote the island as a learning and eco-tourism attraction. Gen Surayud noted the importance of natural resource conservation and praised collaboration of the public and private sectors. He also thanked all participants, from navy officers to local communities, for helping to lay the artificial reefs and encouraged them to continue protecting the marine ecological system by not dropping garbage and broken fishing gear into the sea. The new artificial coral reefs will increase the fish habitat and are part of the Marine Spatial Planning project aimed at creating a coral reef database for the nation. The success of the project has brought positive outcomes for the fishing community. Through tourism, their incomes have increased to more than 150 million baht per year during the high season, with over 60,000 tourists visiting the island every month. -- © Copyright NNT 2023-04-24 - 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.

Mitsubishi Power Starts Up Operations at Rayong Plant RAYONG (NNT) - Mitsubishi Power, a subsidiary of Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has started operations of a natural gas turbine at a gas-fired power plant project in Thailand’s Rayong province on March 31. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292974-mitsubishi-power-starts-up-operations-at-rayong-plant/

RAYONG (NNT) - Mitsubishi Power, a subsidiary of Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has started operations of a natural gas turbine at a gas-fired power plant project in Thailand’s Rayong province on March 31. It said in a statement that the natural gas turbine is the fifth of its kind of a total of eight to be delivered under a full turnkey 5,300-megawatt contract secured by Mitsubishi Power in 2018. The gas turbine units are to be used at the gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) thermal power generation plant in Rayong, as well as in Chonburi province. The plant in Rayong province is owned and operated by Gulf PD Company Ltd, a joint venture project by Mitsui & Co Ltd and Gulf Energy Development PCL, one of Thailand’s largest independent power producers. Mitsui & Co had said in 2019 that electricity from the Rayong plant will be sold to state-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) for 25 years under a long term contract. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230424114632648 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-04-24 - 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 woman sets new record at London Marathon Photos via Facebook @AmazingThailand A woman from Thailand who ran the London Marathon in the UK yesterday set a unique new Guinness World Record for “the fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress.” Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292973-thai-woman-sets-new-record-at-london-marathon/

Photos via Facebook @AmazingThailand A woman from Thailand who ran the London Marathon in the UK yesterday set a unique new Guinness World Record for “the fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress.” The marathon runner, Shrinya “Dr Miyu” Kanchanasewi, is a 33 year old dentist based at Chao Phraya Hospital with a passion for running. Dr Miyu posted a photo on Facebook holding a certificate from Guinness World Records, a UK reference book recording human achievements since 1955. In the photo, Dr Miyu is dressed in a Thai traditional outfit comprised of a sbai (silk breast wrapper), a chong kraben (traditional Thai lower body garment), and a chadaa (traditional Thai headdress). Her running trainers are the only non-traditional Thai element of her outfit. The dentist explained that people who enter the London Marathon with “fancy” outfits can submit a request to get into the Guinness World Records. Dr Miyu completed the 41 kilometre race in three hours and 45 minutes. Dr Miyu explained that she was inspired to run the London Marathon in a traditional Thai costume to promote Thai culture, fashion, and fabric – which she called Thailand’s “soft power.” Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/sport/thai-woman-sets-new-record-at-london-marathon -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-24 - 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 relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’ Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who are eager for premium and extraordinary travel experiences. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292972-grab-thailand-relaunches-premium-services-with-‘the-ultimate-5-senses-experience’/

Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who are eager for premium and extraordinary travel experiences. Panomkorn Jirasatienpong, Head of Marketing, Grab Thailand, said… “The premium market segment has shown a high growth potential, thus being one of the key strategies to grow our mobility service this year. Due to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions since last year and the full reopening of foreign visitors, we have seen a positive trend in on-demand ride-hailing service, especially in the premium segment. The number of rides for our GrabCar Premium service increased by more than 30% in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the previous quarter.” “GrabCar Premium was first introduced in Thailand in 2019 and has continuously gained popularity among premium users, both local and foreigners, especially those prioritizing personal image and impressive experience over prices. The service mainly serves users in three key use cases: 1) To travel with big luggage such as a trip to the airport or golf course; 2) To attend special occasions such as business meetings or weddings; and 3) to provide a more comfortable ride for loved ones or important connections.” Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/grab-thailand-relaunches-premium-services-with-the-ultimate-5-senses-experience -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-24 - 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.

Malaysians urged to take out insurance before driving in Thailand An activist is urging Malaysians who wish to drive while travelling in Thailand to take out full insurance coverage policies to reduce problems in the case of an accident. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292971-malaysians-urged-to-take-out-insurance-before-driving-in-thailand/

An activist is urging Malaysians who wish to drive while travelling in Thailand to take out full insurance coverage policies to reduce problems in the case of an accident. Abdul Halim Othman, also known as Cikgu Joe Satun, is a Malaysian activist living in Satun province in southern Thailand. He said the issue of insurance should be taken seriously because of the high cost of hospital treatment in Thailand. The activist said that some Malaysians who hop over the border into southern Thailand for short getaways sometimes avoid purchasing insurance either to save money or because they are unaware of the difficulties that can arise while trying to fix the aftermath of an accident. The activist told Bernama… “As soon as we step past the Malaysia-Thailand border, even for a short meal in Danok, we are already subject to the regulations of the Thai authorities. “Insurance will act as our ‘legal aid’ that will come to our rescue. If nothing happens, it’s okay. But if anything does happen, it will be tough without full coverage. So you need to remember this before it really happens.” Abdul speaks from experience, volunteering to help many Malaysians involved in traffic accidents in Thailand since 2011. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/malaysia-en/malaysians-urged-to-take-out-insurance-before-driving-in-thailand -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-24 - 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 Democrat Party Supports Sex Toy Legalization The Thai Democrat Party said it supports sex toy legalization in Thailand, where they are currently illegal, as a controlled item to diminish sex crimes. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292969-thai-democrat-party-supports-sex-toy-legalization/

The Thai Democrat Party said it supports sex toy legalization in Thailand, where they are currently illegal, as a controlled item to diminish sex crimes. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, Executive Director of the Democrat Party, revealed that there is a growing demand for sex toys in Thailand although the goods are still considered illegal. As a result, there have been illegal trafficking of sex toys, leading to lost revenue from uncollected taxes for the government and corruption among certain government officials. Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/04/24/thai-democrat-party-supports-sex-toy-legalization/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-04-24 - 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’s Industrial Confidence Reaches 10-Year High in March Image: Google/NBT World BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has revealed that Thailand’s industrial confidence index saw a decade-high boost in March. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292968-thailand’s-industrial-confidence-reaches-10-year-high-in-march/

Image: Google/NBT World BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has revealed that Thailand’s industrial confidence index saw a decade-high boost in March. According to Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri, the Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) rose to 97.8 points in March, up from 94.1 points and 96.8 points in January and February respectively, and was the highest since January 2013. An opinion survey of 1,322 industrial entrepreneurs, covering 45 industrial groups, also found an increase in domestic demand thanks to increased purchasing power and a recovery in tourism. Anucha noted, however, that businesses are concerned about production costs rising due to increases in the prices of raw materials, energy costs, inflation and the state of the baht currency. These issues, in addition to global economic fluctuations and geopolitical conflicts, pose significant downside risks that could hinder a strong recovery. The spokesperson affirmed that the government is ready to respond to suggestions from the private sector and address these concerns, such as high energy prices and the need to secure new markets for Thai products. He added that with the right measures, the index could even pass 100 to 106.3 points by the end of June. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230424114145643 -- © Copyright NNT 2023-04-24 - 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.

Breaking through Thailand’s current policy making hindrances The classic challenge when developing policy is how to formulate government policies which respond to the specific needs of the people. Nowadays, the traditional ways of designing policies, exclusively by those in authority, are changing. There is more public participation, but the lack of platforms for collaboration between stakeholders, the inability to access the legislative process and budget data and a lack of forward thinking remain barriers to Thailand being able to develop a truly inclusive policy making process. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292964-breaking-through-thailand’s-current-policy-making-hindrances/

The classic challenge when developing policy is how to formulate government policies which respond to the specific needs of the people. Nowadays, the traditional ways of designing policies, exclusively by those in authority, are changing. There is more public participation, but the lack of platforms for collaboration between stakeholders, the inability to access the legislative process and budget data and a lack of forward thinking remain barriers to Thailand being able to develop a truly inclusive policy making process. The “Hackathon”, an event involving long hours of brainstorming prototypes, practical steps and deliverables, is becoming a common platform used in policy design. The event gathers people from various backgrounds, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, the marginalized, youth, policy makers and so on, into a group to engage in diverse conversation, exchanges of worldviews, movements and tools to design well rounded policies. ‘Hack Thailand 2023’ hosted by ThaiPBS and many other organization is just such an event, which aims to develop policies for Thailand for the next 10 years, opening up an opportunity for the government sector, policy makers and politicians to collaborate with the civic sector and to draw on data, both empirical and emotional, to bring together government, the civic sector, NGOs and the private sector to work on potential policies. The discussion is divided into health, social, environment, economy, politics and education. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/breaking-through-thailands-current-policy-making-hindrances/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-24 - 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 notches highest temperature on record as 'monster' heat wave roasts Southeast Asia A boy cools himself under an irrigation water pipe as northern India continues to reel under intense heat wave in Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) An extreme and sprawling heat wave has enveloped southeastern Asia since last week, and numerous all-time record high temperatures have fallen, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292748-thailand-notches-highest-temperature-on-record-as-monster-heat-wave-roasts-southeast-asia/

A boy cools himself under an irrigation water pipe as northern India continues to reel under intense heat wave in Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) An extreme and sprawling heat wave has enveloped southeastern Asia since last week, and numerous all-time record high temperatures have fallen, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. A multiweek heat wave impacting southeastern Asia has shattered all-time records, prompted school closures and killed at least 13 people, according to officials. Temperatures in parts of Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been regularly exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) this month. Meanwhile, Thailand set an all-time record high for any time of year. Full Story: https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/thailand-notches-highest-temperature-on-record-as-monster-heat-wave-roasts-southeast-asia/1514765

Thai police arrest members of syndicate smuggling petrol from Malaysia Image Credit: Bangkok Post The Royal Thai Police‘s (RTP) Fuel Crime Suppression Centre recently announced the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate known as “Jae Fang” in Hat Yai, Thailand. The group has allegedly been smuggling petrol from Malaysia and reselling it in the southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, and Narathiwat. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1292745-thai-police-arrest-members-of-syndicate-smuggling-petrol-from-malaysia/

Image Credit: Bangkok Post The Royal Thai Police‘s (RTP) Fuel Crime Suppression Centre recently announced the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate known as “Jae Fang” in Hat Yai, Thailand. The group has allegedly been smuggling petrol from Malaysia and reselling it in the southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, and Narathiwat. The suspects, Nee Usman and Eeb Madyusoh, were apprehended while transferring petrol between modified lorries and pickup trucks at a warehouse in Hat Yai district’s Thung Lung area, about 30 kilometres from the immigration checkpoint. Authorities managed to seize two Toyota pickup trucks carrying at least 2,000 litres of diesel. Deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, who is also the Fuel Crime Suppression Centre’s acting director, indicated that the Jae Fang syndicate has operated this illegal petrol business for at least a decade. According to Big Joke, the group typically purchases smuggled petrol from boats operating in the Gulf and the Andaman Sea, as well as utilising modified lorries fitted with large oil tanks capable of storing up to 1,000 litres each. The modified lorries are reported to enter Malaysia at least ten times per day to refill their tanks before crossing the border back into Thailand. The smuggled petrol is then stored in the syndicate’s warehouse, where the two suspects were arrested, before being transferred to trucks parked nearby in a forest located in Tha Phong subdistrict. Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/2-jae-fang-syndicate-members-arrested-for-illegal-fuel-activities -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-04-21 - 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.