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Image Credit: FCCT Thai immigration withdraw tourist visas of two CNN reporters Thai immigration officials have withdrawn the visas of two CNN reporters who entered the crime scene of Thursday’s mass killings at the child care centre in Nong Bua Lam Phu province, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national police chief said. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274229-thai-immigration-withdraw-tourist-visas-of-two-cnn-reporters/

Image Credit: FCCT Thai immigration officials have withdrawn the visas of two CNN reporters who entered the crime scene of Thursday’s mass killings at the child care centre in Nong Bua Lam Phu province, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national police chief said. He said that the two reporters, 47-year-old Anna Coren, an Australian, and 34-year-old Daniel Hodge, a Briton, were escorted from their hotel in Udon Thani by police and taken to Na Klang police station in Nong Bua Lam Phu province for questioning. He said that police want to know from them which Thai officials had allowed them into the crime scene, as they had claimed, adding, that only the police have the authority to grant such permission. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-immigration-withdraw-tourist-visas-of-two-cnn-reporters/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-10 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

The multibillion-baht Toyota tax-bribery probe threatening to rock Thailand’s judiciary By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk This has been a bad year for Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd (TMT), the local subsidiary of the Japanese automaker. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274143-the-multibillion-baht-toyota-tax-bribery-probe-threatening-to-rock-thailand’s-judiciary/

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk This has been a bad year for Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd (TMT), the local subsidiary of the Japanese automaker. In mid-September, the company lost a drawn-out court battle and was ordered to pay 11.6 billion baht in unpaid taxes over its importation of components for local production of its Prius hybrid model for the last decade. Meanwhile, a bribery scandal related to the case refuses to go away. Separate official investigations in Thailand and the United States are ongoing more than a year after parent company Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) revealed in March 2021 that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were investigating “possible anti-bribery” violations in TMC’s Thai subsidiary, TMT. TMC said in a regulatory filing that the DOJ and SEC investigations “could result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, fines or other sanctions, or litigation” by either of the agencies. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-multibillion-baht-toyota-tax-bribery-probe-threatening-to-rock-thailands-judiciary/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

National parks near Hua Hin not included in new entry fee price hike for foreigners By Online Reporter The view from top of Khao Daeng view point in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The national parks located near Hua Hin are not included in a new pricing structure that now sees entry fees double for foreigners. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274142-national-parks-near-hua-hin-not-included-in-new-entry-fee-price-hike-for-foreigners/

The view from top of Khao Daeng view point in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. By Online Reporter The national parks located near Hua Hin are not included in a new pricing structure that now sees entry fees double for foreigners. The announcement regarding the new entry fees was posted on the official Facebook page of the Department of National Parks (DNP) on Sept 30. However, nearby national parks, including Kaeng Krachan, Kuiburi, Huay Yang and Khao Sam Roi Yot were not included in the announcement. Entry fees for national parks located near Hua Hin as of June 2022. Entry fees to national parks located near Hua Hin remain unchanged. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/national-parks-near-hua-hin-not-included-in-new-entry-fee-price-hike-for-foreigners/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

PRD executives welcome visiting Russian ambassador by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ambassador of Russia to Thailand and the Public Relations Department have held talks on bilateral cooperation on mass media, with the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week being one of the key topics. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274139-prd-executives-welcome-visiting-russian-ambassador/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ambassador of Russia to Thailand and the Public Relations Department have held talks on bilateral cooperation on mass media, with the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week being one of the key topics. The Public Relations Department (PRD) welcomed a visit by the Ambassador of Russia to Thailand H.E. Evgeny Tomikhin, with the PRD Director General Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd and department executives welcoming the visiting diplomat and his company. The discussion today, joined by delegates from Russia’s TASS News Agency, aimed to establish an information exchange agreement between the PRD and TASS News Agency, including the promotion of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) on 14-19 November. The PRD offered information support for the Russian media on its preparation for the AELW coverage, including the necessary media registration and the Media Press Center operations. Thailand and Russia have enjoyed 125 years of relations. This meeting was considered the beginning of an effort to further enhance the cooperation on mass media between the two countries. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221008111041013 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district flooded last night by Sai River overflow The Sai River breached its banks and flooded commercial areas and residential communities in Muang district of the northern province of Chiang Rai early this morning, due to heavy rainfall since last evening (Friday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274134-chiang-rai’s-mae-sai-district-flooded-last-night-by-sai-river-overflow/

The Sai River breached its banks and flooded commercial areas and residential communities in Muang district of the northern province of Chiang Rai early this morning, due to heavy rainfall since last evening (Friday). The level of the already swollen river increased so rapidly that officials could not warn residents and businesses in advance, meaning that they did not have enough time to move their valuables to higher ground. At about 5.15am, it was reported that flood water had receded in some areas, although there is still light rainfall. In the middle of last night, in San Kong village in Mae Rai sub-district of Mae Chan district, overflows from Mae Rai creek, which flows from Chiang Tung mountain, swept into the village. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chiang-rais-mae-sai-district-flooded-last-night-by-sai-river-overflow/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

The huge hole in Thailand’s disaster alerts As torrential floods continue to flow through urban and rural zones across Thailand, a rising number of people are falling victim to the annual “natural” disaster. Many have also been abandoned to cope on their own, without early warnings or timely assistance from authorities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274133-the-huge-hole-in-thailand’s-disaster-alerts/

As torrential floods continue to flow through urban and rural zones across Thailand, a rising number of people are falling victim to the annual “natural” disaster. Many have also been abandoned to cope on their own, without early warnings or timely assistance from authorities. “A warning was issued on September 28, but it came too late because our house was swamped that very day,” a resident of Ubon Ratchathani’s Warin Chamrap district said. According to international standards, flood alerts should be issued at least 120 hours in advance, said Chainarong Setthachua, a lecturer and ecology expert at Mahasarakham University. “Within that timeframe, there is enough time to come up with a proper flood response plan,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/the-huge-hole-in-thailands-disaster-alerts/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Zelensky warns Russians are being prepared for nuclear warfare By Hugo Bachega and John Simpson BBC News, Kyiv Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian officials have begun to "prepare their society" for the possible use of nuclear weapons, but added he does not believe Russia is ready to use them. In an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky denied having urged strikes on Russia, claiming that an earlier remark had been mistranslated. "You must use preventive kicks," he said, referring to sanctions, "not attacks". In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army has recaptured large swathes of territory in a successful counter-offensive that has forced Russian troops to abandon long-held positions. In what Kyiv describes as Moscow's response to its defeats, President Vladimir Putin has incorporated four partially occupied regions of Ukraine. Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63173443 -- © Copyright BBC 2022-10-08

ANALYSIS Thailand's tragic childcare massacre leaves questions for a grieving nation The Conversation / By Greg Raymond Coffins being transported after Thai mass shooting. At least 37 people were killed on Thursday by a lone gunman at a daycare centre in Thailand's north-eastern province of Nongbua Lamphu, local police say. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274129-thailands-tragic-childcare-massacre-leaves-questions-for-a-grieving-nation/

Coffins being transported after Thai mass shooting. ANALYSIS The Conversation / By Greg Raymond At least 37 people were killed on Thursday by a lone gunman at a daycare centre in Thailand's north-eastern province of Nongbua Lamphu, local police say. WARNING: Readers may find details in this story distressing. Among the dead are at least 24 children, while the alleged gunman also killed his wife and child, then himself. The alleged gunman was a former member of the police force, who was facing trial on a methamphetamine possession charge after having been dismissed from the police over drug allegations. Ahead of the next election scheduled for around May 2023, this shocking incident will trigger a national conversation around gun control and drug use, as well as on questions of mental health, after a really difficult couple of years since the onset of COVID-19. Full story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-08/thai-childcare-massacre-fallout-guns-meth/101514444 -- © Copyright ABC NEWS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

The Thai roads are full of surprises - not all of them bad! Rooster returns to Bangkok from Loei OPINION | by Rooster Your favorite columnist had set off to Loei in the early hours of Sunday morning two weeks ago smiling broadly from ear to ear. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274118-the-thai-roads-are-full-of-surprises-not-all-of-them-bad-rooster-returns-to-bangkok-from-loei/

OPINION | by Rooster Your favorite columnist had set off to Loei in the early hours of Sunday morning two weeks ago smiling broadly from ear to ear. Yes, I was concerned about the potential dangers of a 600 km road trip in Thailand but I had just read the comments of keyboard warriors on my previous column. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me, as my mother used to say. I was called every name under the sun for expressing a preference for Bangkok over the sticks and others wanted me arrested for mild comments about a certain family on the other side of the world. How kind of you. I continued my policy of not wearing my moderator's hat but your names have been noted. Thank you to the many posters who enjoyed the column even if they didn’t agree with every word. I missed writing last week’s column as I had some drying paint that needed watching. There was so little news. It was just after 5 am when I set off north in the trusty Civic that has many scrapes due to my appalling parking skills. My wife and children continued their slumbers, wisely I didn’t. We reached Loei at about 1pm. It was easier than normal as there were few nutters on the roads and I could actually see ahead after changing my wiper blades for the first time in 14 years. The last bit of 20 KM was a bit tricky - there are still horrendous potholes in the country roads even though many repairs have been made in the area of our house in Pha Khao district. The mood at the house that Rooster built was great. A guy from Philadelphia who has teamed up with my sister-in-law had helped build and stock a restaurant and convenience store out front. The house was clean and tidy for a change. The food all week was delicious and the children were told to pay for their snacks, it wasn’t a free hit! Uncle C as he is affectionately known had already been at the house for three weeks but conspiratorially we decided to get out of Dodge on Friday as too long away from Bangkok is not good for anyone. We had a day trip to the Erawan cave but mostly the rain dictated our week. There was a lot of it and the temperature was lovely and cool making night times on a new bed bought by Mrs R a real pleasure. I’ve never put in air-conditioning. I’ll do that if I ever suffer brain fog and decide to move there full time. Much of the province looked utterly beautiful and so green. Mostly we watched the NFL highlights and I played my part in researching the history of American Football, getting to grips with the basic rules and insisted on calling my favorite sport “soccer” in Uncle C’s company. I promised to buy a Packers shirt in Chatuchak when I got back to the land of the living. C was clearly pleased, and perhaps a little surprised that I like Americans so much. The comments from Brits on the last column, by comparison, were clear evidence that my faith in our friends across the pond was not misplaced. I never used the term “septic tank” even once. Daily bedtime was at 8pm and nobody seemed to mind that Rooster got up at 9 am. I was on holiday after all. But I was full of trepidation about our return to Bangkok. I was leaving the car with the missus and putting my faith in a van driver to get me from door to door for 700 baht. I have never been in a van on the roads, usually making the return trip in a large bus from Puay Deng or Sibunruang. Clambering aboard the van that arrived on time I was astonished at how slow the driver and his co-driver were going. I put that down to the potholes. I expected them to speed up and terrify us on the main roads. They didn’t. They drove sensibly all the way to Bangkok. I nearly asked them to speed up but thought better of it…. Returning to Bangkok at 3.30 am was a relief but the trip had been a good one. The atmosphere at the house was great and everyone was industrious for a change, reveling in the new business. And a friend of a friend managed to supply me with a small brick for 200 baht that was not used for construction. Prior to June 9th when weed was legalised I would never have smoked at the house. This time was different. The same reason had also made Pattaya much more tolerable in my visit in September. There must have been 15-20 marijuana shops on a short Beach Road walk not to mention the vendors with rolled joints and cheap bricks. Well done Thailand and long may it continue despite the efforts of Thai curmudgeons and foreign ASEAN NOW dinosaurs who want to spoil other people’s legitimate fun with their absurd objections. My advice: Download Refer Madness, get some popcorn and leave us civilized, law abiding people alone. Safe roads and heaps of weed, whoever would have believed that was my take on a pleasant week among the smiling and friendly locals in our village. I’m glad you enjoyed my “roll-ups”, a skill developed when I used to roll my own Drum fags on the Sutton Advertiser news desk in the 1980s. Back in Bangkok it was time to translate again for ASEAN NOW and many stories featured those deadly roads and the mayhem and death. The worst was perhaps two pick-ups racing on the Bang Na - Chonburi elevated road. They were enjoying themselves before they hit a six-wheel truck putting in road markings. One dead and four injured. Every day my editor who picks stories from the Thai media for my deliberations said there was nothing but flood stories. Very true. But one that caught my eye was the reintroduction of chain gangs putting out sandbags in Chaeng Wattana. Good to see the lads back after the pandemic. Justice minister Somsak said there were plenty more where that came from. Prior to the legalization of weed there were about 320,000 in Thai jails. That has been stripped by about 80,000 thanks to the changes in the law that freed weed and kratom inmates. The last week has seen the emergency decree come to an end and restrictions on tourists entering Thailand scrapped. People in Bangkok are slowly - and I mean slowly - ditching the masks. They have become so ingrained and many Thais are doing a Hyacinth Bucket by keeping up appearances while wearing them. Time to stop that unless you’re worried about your health or are ill. I tested the waters with my first unmasked trip to Big C. No one batted an eyelid even if I was the only one in the store going without! Hopefully now when my children return to school at the beginning of next month they can be maskless too. I have felt very sorry - and sometimes rather angry - on their behalf for the last two years. Kids need to see people’s faces and mouth movements and need to feel emboldened to speak up. Masks are like shackles. Even the chain gangs were not wearing them. We all need to put the pandemic behind us. To wit, I was delighted with the lady who smiled at me and said hello in the street as Rooster and family were heading for the dentist, a treat for Mrs R’s 45th birthday. What a common occurrence that kind of friendliness in the street used to be. It needs to come back - there is far too much residual angst and distrust. Let’s start smiling at each other again - Thais and foreigners - and put the S back in the LOS. We set an example following mask mandates in the pandemic, now set an example by NOT wearing one. Several surveys by organisations you’ve never heard of put Bangkok in the top five or Thailand in the top three of countries in the world. The moaners on ASEAN NOW reacted like soi dogs thrown a bone. They rarely come up with a viable holiday or retirement alternative that it is possible to take remotely seriously. You have to wonder why they live in Thailand, or maybe they don’t and are just jealous. Some tourists in Samui were really enjoying themselves at a luxury resort comparing Thailand to Amsterdam for obvious reasons. A glass of wine in one hand and a spliff in the other. Posters on AN had earlier suggested that it was only backpackers who enjoyed weed. The well-heeled would go elsewhere, they claimed. News Alert: Many wealthy people love a smoke and many have been toking their entire lives and are 60 or 70 or even older. What a great thing to be able to do on holiday. Expect Thailand to be #1 as a result in future surveys and the TAT to bite the bullet and promote the country as a weed haven. Why not! It’ll infuriate the hell out of Thailand’s neighbors and maybe, just maybe, bring about some change there too. Put that in your pipe and smoke it boring Malaysia and police state Singapore. Now change the archaic 2pm to 5 pm drinks ban. In international news the war in Ukraine rumbled on - it’s the yawn of the year - though at least it replaced the British Royals after nearly two weeks of press groveling. I liked the story about the great Norwegian chess champion Magnus Carlsen who is claiming widespread cheating by an American teen called Hans Niemann who beat him after a meteoric rise through the rankings. I am glad I don’t have to write the stories. Years ago Rooster exposed several Scrabble cheats in the UK and Thailand. It took a heavy toll on friendships in my gaming communities. I was only doing my job as a journalist but some doubted my motives. Mr Carlsen has little evidence of over- the-board mischief but Mr Niemann has already admitted to online cheating. Rooster has declined multiple invitations to compete in online Scrabble contests for money. The organisers claim they have eliminated cheating. Nonsense, cheaters will always find a way and I want none of it. Virgin announced that they were finally stopping Heathrow to Hong Kong flights after 30 years with the closure of their office there. They blamed the war. Meanwhile the Hong Kong authorities are planning to give away 500,000 air tickets to inbound and outbound travellers to boost the Covid hit travel industry following the easing of some pandemic era restrictions. If they’d like to send me a ticket I might put my flight shaming on hold. I love Hong Kong so long as I can find a couch-surfer to put me up and put up with me. On Thursday one of Thailand's worst ever shooting rampages shocked the entire world. Thirty eight people including 24 young children died as a former police sergeant opened fire and stabbed victims before killing his family and himself in Nong Bua Lamphu. With my own children just a few kilometers over the border in Loei it's hard to process the tragedy that took place at a nursery where the little ones should have felt safe. I called my family immediately I heard the news as I wanted to see their faces. Mrs Rooster said that a local official in our village came round to tell them to close the restaurant and take cover in the house as they couldn't be sure where the shooter was headed. While events of this nature are comparatively rare in Thailand, gun ownership and the appalling actions of the police as well as the prevalence of meth have all contributed. And so has a loss of face brought about by the sacking of the sergeant. Further details have emerged of a man who took drugs in high school yet got a job with the RTP. During his time with the force there was a litany of bad behavior including drug taking (and buying from another ex-cop), drunken rampages and the shooting of a dog that the force kept quiet. This went on for years. RTP chief Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat has many questions to answer about his force that is widely seen in Thailand as little more than a mafia organization. My heart goes out to the grieving parents. Finally Uncle Too was out wading through the depths as the sycophantic Thai press treated him like a celebrity born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He looks set to continue in office for the time being. Thank goodness there’s a dispensary selling herbs just around the corner. His face is infinitely more tolerable when viewed through a thick cloud of smoke. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more! Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thailand mourns mass shooting victims by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The feelings of shock and grief remain with people across the country in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Nong Bua Lamphu. Several agencies have joined hands to offer assistance to the families of the victims and those impacted. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274103-thailand-mourns-mass-shooting-victims/

by Tanakorn Sangiam BANGKOK (NNT) - The feelings of shock and grief remain with people across the country in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Nong Bua Lamphu. Several agencies have joined hands to offer assistance to the families of the victims and those impacted. The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand has extended his condolences to the families of the victims of a mass shooting event at a daycare center in Nong Bua Lamphu, according to an announcement made by His Holiness’s secretary office. The office says it will provide religious supplies and financial aid to help with the victims’ funeral, which shall receive special facilitation from local temples, as well as financial aid for those injured. The Supreme Patriarch has instructed all Buddhist temples in Thailand to host a special prayer for the victims this evening. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered government offices to fly the national flag at half mast today. A moment of silence was observed. The Prime Minister asked all relevant agencies to offer full assistance to the victims’ families and put the topic of gun ownership on the table. On this topic, the Ministry of Interior elaborated that the issuance of gun licenses had always been carefully reviewed. Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221007204919881 -- © Copyright NNT 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Quick Autopsy of Massacre Victims Ordered BANGKOK, – The public health minister mobilized forensic doctors to speed up the autopsy of the bodies of 37 victims in the killing rampage in Nong Bua Lam Phu province and expected to hand all the bodies to relatives today for their religious ceremonies. . He also assigned psychiatrists to assist all affected families. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274102-quick-autopsy-of-massacre-victims-ordered/

BANGKOK, – The public health minister mobilized forensic doctors to speed up the autopsy of the bodies of 37 victims in the killing rampage in Nong Bua Lam Phu province and expected to hand all the bodies to relatives today for their religious ceremonies. . He also assigned psychiatrists to assist all affected families. The Public Health Ministry offered the services while seven injured people remained at hospital. Of them, five were in intensive care units, comprising three children and two adults. Most of them suffered cuts in their heads. Regarding the massacre in Nong Bua Lam Phu on Oct 6, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that yesterday he deployed 10 forensic doctors to handle bodies from the case and he hoped that all the 37 bodies of victims could be handed to relatives. late this morning. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-1033504 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Thailand wins two PATA Gold Awards 2022 For TAT’s #KhaoThaiContest in the Digital Marketing Campaign category and DASTA’s Ban Khok Mueang community-based tourism development in the Heritage category. TAT Newsroom The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) among the 25 organisations and individuals to receive the prestigious 2022 PATA Grand and Gold Awards. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274101-thailand-wins-two-pata-gold-awards-2022/

For TAT’s #KhaoThaiContest in the Digital Marketing Campaign category and DASTA’s Ban Khok Mueang community-based tourism development in the Heritage category. TAT Newsroom The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) among the 25 organisations and individuals to receive the prestigious 2022 PATA Grand and Gold Awards. TAT won a Gold Award for Digital Marketing Campaign for its #KhaoThaiContest. According to PATA’s announcement, “The #KhaoThaiContest was held thrice. Twice in the year 2020 in the month of May and June, and once in 2021 in the month of April. The theme of the contest was guessing the Thai Cuisine by the community posted on social media platforms and the lucky winners were awarded Thai food from one of the best Thai restaurants in Mumbai (Seefah restaurant). The contest was a huge success keeping the audience engaged and educated about Thai food amidst the lockdown.” Another Gold Award for Thailand was presented to DASTA in the Heritage category for its “Rejuvenating Ban Khok Mueang’s Heritage through a Sustainable Practice of Community-based Tourism” project. According to PATA’s announcement, “Ban Khok Mueang is a small village situated in Prakhon Chai District, Buri Ram Province, one of the provinces in the Lower Northeast of Thailand. Given that the village is located on the high plains nearby the two extinct volcanoes; namely, Phanom Rung Volcano and Plai But Volcano, and was part of the formerly prosperous ancient Khmer civilization, the village is, respectively, bestowed with nutrient-rich volcanic soil and valuable architectural ruins of a Khmer-Hindu sanctuary, inheriting the abundance of natural and cultural heritage from the past. In 2018, the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organisation) or DASTA, an organisation that works to establish sustainable practices in tourism development, came to support Ban Khok Mueang village in developing its first community-specific tourism plan that is deemed to provide community members with a practical guideline of tourism management and development. Among several other communities, Ban Khok Mueang was chosen by DASTA to be one of the model tourist communities for community-based tourism development. For 7 years, the synergy between DASTA and Ban Khok Mueang has been strengthened through the implementation of several activities/projects that, all in all, help the community develop its competence in community-based tourism management strategically and systematically. Nowadays, besides having well-established economic self-sufficiency created through a sustainable practice of community-based tourism, Ban Khok Mueang also successfully achieves its objective of revitalising and maintaining the significance and relevance of natural and cultural heritage in relation to the ever-changing way of life of people in the community.” The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) promotes responsible development of the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry, and the annual PATA Grand and Gold Awards, sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office, were established with the aim of recognising exceptional achievement in a range of media to promote the travel industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2022 PATA Grand and Gold Awards recognise the achievements of 25 separate organisations and individuals, including two Grand Awards, and the awards ceremony was presented during the Virtual Awards Ceremony held on Friday, 7 October, 2022. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/10/thailand-wins-two-pata-gold-awards-2022/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Chiang Mai selected as World Festival and Event City for 2022 by IFEA Three other Thai events - Bangkok Music City, Ubon Ratchathani Lent Candle Procession, and Loei Art Fes – also named the Bronze winners of the 2022 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. TAT Newsroom Chiang Mai has been selected as one of five “World Festival and Event Cities” for 2022 by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) at the 65th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat presented by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, which took place on 21 September, 2022, in McAllen, Texas, United States. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1274100-chiang-mai-selected-as-world-festival-and-event-city-for-2022-by-ifea/

Three other Thai events - Bangkok Music City, Ubon Ratchathani Lent Candle Procession, and Loei Art Fes – also named the Bronze winners of the 2022 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. TAT Newsroom Chiang Mai has been selected as one of five “World Festival and Event Cities” for 2022 by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) at the 65th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat presented by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, which took place on 21 September, 2022, in McAllen, Texas, United States. Representing Chiang Mai at the awards ceremony were Mr. Worayarn Boonyanarat, Vice Governor of Chiang Mai, and Dr. Jutha Tharachai, Northern Regional Office Director of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). TCEB and the Visit Lanna Association nominated Chiang Mai for the award. In its 2022 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award Recipients, IFEA said of Chiang Mai: “An economic hub of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai boasts beautiful culture and abundant natural resources. The city’s offers international-quality tourism services, and priceless arts and cultural experiences have greatly impressed visitors. With a long history and the unique Lanna culture, Chiang Mai is packed with traditional festivals that deeply reflect the residents’ beliefs and ways of life. On the other hand, their creativity has led to the creation of many contemporary festivals and events that invigorate the city and engage visitors in year-round activities with the locals. The city of Chiang Mai is committed to becoming a city of festivals and events with a keen eye on sustainable development on the grounds of balanced coexistence between humans and nature. Such an ideology lies at the heart of Chiang Mai’s local culture. Stakeholders in the city, including the government, private, public and education sectors, have collaborated in organising festivals and events to welcome and immerse visitors in an experience of this delicate culture, while they bask in the exquisite landscape of Chiang Mai among the lush forests and mountains of Northern Thailand.” Simultaneously, the Bangkok Music City 2021 event, the Ubon Ratchathani Lent Candle Procession 2019 event, and the Loei Art Fes 2021 event were named the Bronze winners of the 2022 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards. The announcement was made on 19 September, 2022, at the aforementioned event. TCEB also nominated the three festivals for the awards. Previously, in March 2022, the ‘Pattaya International Fireworks Festival’ was named as one of Asia’s top three Ocean Cities’ Festivals by IFEA Asia, following the July 2021’s naming of the ‘Thai Songkran Festival’ as one of the major festivals of Asia. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/10/chiang-mai-selected-as-world-festival-and-event-city-for-2022-by-ifea/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-10-08 - 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. Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!