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Thailand Cuts 2022 GDP Outlook Over Russia-Ukraine War by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has reduced its 2022 economic growth forecast to 3.5% from a previous forecast of 4.0%, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global growth and inflation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258302-thailand-cuts-2022-gdp-outlook-over-russia-ukraine-war/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has reduced its 2022 economic growth forecast to 3.5% from a previous forecast of 4.0%, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global growth and inflation. Pornchai Theeravet, head of the fiscal policy office under the Ministry of Finance, nevertheless told a news conference that the Thai economy will still be supported by higher domestic spending and a recovery in tourism, as well as exports. Pornchai said, "The economy is still growing, accelerating from last year’s 1.6% growth, but there remain risk factors." He added that the ministry is prepared to take fiscal and monetary measures to ensure continued and broad-based economic recovery." Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ministry now expects exports - a key driver of Thai growth - to rise 6.0% this year, up from the 3.6% previously projected. The tourism-dependent country is on track to receive 6.1 million foreign visitors this year, but below the 7 million projected earlier due partly to the impact of China’s travel restrictions and the Ukraine conflict on Russian tourist numbers. Predicted tourist numbers would be far short of the nearly 40 million visitors during 2019, but a substantial improvement on the 428,000 foreign tourist arrivals in 2021. The tourism industry generally accounts for about 12% of gross domestic product. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Toyota’s Thai Unit Agrees to Boost EV Incentives by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai unit of Toyota Motor Corp has signed an agreement with Thailand on incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the major regional auto production base. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258300-toyota’s-thai-unit-agrees-to-boost-ev-incentives/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai unit of Toyota Motor Corp has signed an agreement with Thailand on incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the major regional auto production base. According to the Ministry of Finance, the incentives include tax breaks and subsidies to help make EVs cheaper. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said after the signing that the deal with Thailand’s largest car producer will be "a leap" for the use of EVs in the nation, as consumers were waiting for major carmakers to join the scheme. Noriaki Yamashita, president of Toyota Motor Thailand which commands about a third of the Thai vehicle market, said Toyota is considering launching its bZ4X EV model in Thailand later this year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ministry said a similar agreement has also been signed with Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor and with SAIC-CP Motor, the Thai unit of SAIC Motor Corp. It added that at least five more automakers are expected to join the EV support scheme this year. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says there are about 260,000 EVs currently registered in Thailand and the finance ministry expects about 20,000 units to be sold this year - just a fraction of total cars on the streets. Arkhom said Thailand will continue to introduce measures to support EVs to maintain its status as Southeast Asia’s biggest and the world’s 11th largest auto production base. The government is targeting the production of 725,000 EV units a year, or 30% of the output by 2030. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Brake failure! Five vehicle pile up on Bang Na - Trat but at least one woman was wearing a seatbelt Picture: Siam Rath A six wheel truck driver said that he experienced break failure that caused a five vehicle pile-up around 1 pm on the center section of the Bang Na - Trat highway by a U-turn. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258299-brake-failure-five-vehicle-pile-up-on-bang-na-trat-but-at-least-one-woman-was-wearing-a-seatbelt/

Picture: Siam Rath A six wheel truck driver said that he experienced break failure that caused a five vehicle pile-up around 1 pm on the center section of the Bang Na - Trat highway by a U-turn. Santi, aged about 35-40, told Siam Rath that he was going to make a U-turn and was approaching other vehicles lined up preparing to do the same. Picture: Siam Rath Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said he put his foot on the brake but they it didn't respond. He decided to veer left to avoid a collision but was unable to complete the move due to other traffic. He ended up trapped in his cab with leg injuries that needed a trip to Bang Plee hospital. A pick-up and three other cars were damaged. Picture: Siam Rath A lady called Sabaiphae said she was on the way to take her son to get vaccinated in Bang Na. She ended up being sandwiched between other vehicles in her black car. She said that she was wearing her seatbelt and thanked that for not being thrown into the steering wheel or console. Bang Plee police are conducting the inquiry. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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 Picture: Siam Rath

Pattaya: Fourteen foreigners and two Thais arrested at "ketamine party" Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that 16 people were arrested at business premises in Pattaya being used for a drugs' party. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258297-pattaya-fourteen-foreigners-and-two-thais-arrested-at-ketamine-party/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that 16 people were arrested at business premises in Pattaya being used for a drugs' party. Immigration, a police unit involved in international crime and Muang police were all involved in the bust in Nong Prue. A gaudy, bright area had been converted into a party place where the foreigners and Thais were dancing to music. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Arrested were eight Chinese nationals, five men and three women, six people from Myanmar, five men and a woman and two Thai women. Many bags of ketamine were found along with trays for sharing out the drug and drug taking equipment. They were all taken away for questioning and drugs' tests at 4.30 am this morning. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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 Picture: Daily News

Surin: Motorcyclist killed after neck becomes entangled in "hanging wires" Daily News Thai Caption: Strangled to death (by hanging wires) Thailand's infamous hanging wires are in the news again after a motorcyclist was killed, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258295-surin-motorcyclist-killed-after-neck-becomes-entangled-in-hanging-wires/

Daily News Thai Caption: Strangled to death (by hanging wires) Thailand's infamous hanging wires are in the news again after a motorcyclist was killed, reported Daily News. Bunkert, 40, was riding home along Route 2077 after doing some evening shopping on Thursday. He came off his bike outside Lamduan Hospital. Wires were wrapped around his head and hands. He was unconscious with a severe head injury that led to his death on Friday after he had been in ICU. Picture: Daily News His wife Pornthira, 42, said this was a busy road with many motorists. She called on those responsible for the wires to own up. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Locals in the area said that many of the bundles of wires were just precariously hanging waiting for the wind to blow them down. Lamduan police are investigating to find out who is responsible for the wires that killed Bunkert. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Bangkok police arrest taxi driver who robbed French tourist Picture: Sanook Sanook report that the Thong Lo police had arrested a Bangkok taxi driver who robbed a French tourist in Sukhumvit Soi 22 last Saturday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258294-bangkok-police-arrest-taxi-driver-who-robbed-french-tourist/

Picture: Sanook Sanook report that the Thong Lo police had arrested a Bangkok taxi driver who robbed a French tourist in Sukhumvit Soi 22 last Saturday night. Manuel B., a 32 year old French IT specialist, had gone to the police after he had passed out drunk in front of the Lawson 108 store. A gold necklace and a Lacoste chest bag containing a green iPhone 11 Pro, cash, passport and other documents all worth 54,200 had gone missing. CCTV confirmed he had been robbed by a taxi driver in a Bangkok cab. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Police arrested 49 year old Torsak outside a hotel in northern Klong Toei, a similar area to the theft. The bag was recovered and the iPhone was found at a second hand dealer in Huay Khwang. Torsak claimed that he had intended to help the man but when he saw his possessions he couldn't resist the temptation. He needed money for his everyday expenses. The Thong Lo police discovered that Torsak had convictions for Class 1 drug possession in 2012 and 2015. He has been charged with theft at night using a conveyance. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

American tourist rescued after getting lost in the Thalang jungle in Phuket By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang, Phuket – An American tourist, 68-years-old, has been rescued after getting lost in a jungle in the Thalang district yesterday afternoon (April 29th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258291-american-tourist-rescued-after-getting-lost-in-the-thalang-jungle-in-phuket/

By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang, Phuket – An American tourist, 68-years-old, has been rescued after getting lost in a jungle in the Thalang district yesterday afternoon (April 29th). The Phuket Tourist Police was notified of the incident by the male American tourist via an emergency phone call at 3:20 P.M. yesterday afternoon. He sent his latest position to the Phuket Tourist Police via mobile phone. He was lost in a hilly jungle in the Baan Nai Thorn area in the Sakoo sub-district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Phuket Tourist Police contacted officers at a national park nearby and locals who know the area well. They went into the jungle along a nature trail on a hill. Police searched for the American tourist using GPS (Global Positioning System). Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/04/30/american-tourist-rescued-after-getting-lost-in-the-thalang-jungle-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Israeli tourist found safe and unhurt after going missing on southern Thailand nature trail Picture: Siam Rath A missing Israeli tourist has been found alive and well after going missing in the south of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258290-israeli-tourist-found-safe-and-unhurt-after-going-missing-on-southern-thailand-nature-trail/

Picture: Siam Rath A missing Israeli tourist has been found alive and well after going missing in the south of Thailand. Mr Daniel, 33, had gone walking on a nature trail in the Khao Sok national park in Surat Thani at 3pm Thursday but had not returned to his room in the park by nightfall. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A search party was organised but it was called off at 3 am and regrouped in the light of Friday morning. The tourist was found by park officials at the Bang Hua Raet waterfall around 9.15 am and he was fine. Siam Rath had no further details. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

Thai wife pays 500K for Denmark husband's murder - they make it look like an accident but he survives Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a 48 year old Thai wife arranged to have her 63 year old Danish husband murdered in Thailand for 500,000 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258289-thai-wife-pays-500k-for-denmark-husbands-murder-they-make-it-look-like-an-accident-but-he-survives/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a 48 year old Thai wife arranged to have her 63 year old Danish husband murdered in Thailand for 500,000 baht. Via an older friend it was arranged that a relative would drive into the foreigner as he rode his motorcycle by a field. But despite a serious collision that left a hole in a windshield - a picture in Thai Rath was published - Mr. Larsen survived with serious injuries. Picture: Thai Rath The plot to get 10 million baht in life insurance soon unravelled and three people are in custody. Mr Larsen remains in Srisawan Hospital in the central/northern province of Nakhon Sawan. Yesterday Pol Maj-Gen Attasit Sutsanguan, Region 6 deputy, gave details of the case. Now in custody after warrants were issued on charges of arranging murder are Mr Larsen's wife Pratheep Fang Larsen, 48, and Jemjan Khamkaew, 60. On Thursday of last week, 21st April, the small sub-police station of Nong Krot received a report of a collision between a car and a motorcycle in Beung Pla Thu sub-district of Ban Photphisai district. A grey Toyota with Lampang plates had collided with the bike ridden by Mr Larsen propelling him into a field. Driving the Toyota was Ekkasit Wichajan, 24. Ekkasit claimed it was an accident and it appeared that way at first, said Attasit. But soon there appeared inconsistencies and it became obvious this had been deliberate and was a staged accident. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Under intense interrogation Ekkasit broke down and admitted that he was hired by his relative Jemjan to kill Mr Larsen but failed. It emerged that Pratheep Larsen had paid her friend 500,000 baht to arrange her husband's death so she could claim 10 million baht in life insurance. The Larsen's have two children and had been living in Denmark for many years. But they came back to Thailand and couldn't return because of the pandemic. They had purchased tens of rai of land for 20 million baht but a dispute arose. The wife wanted a divorce but the husband opposed this. They could not get back to Denmark because of the pandemic. It was also reported that ten years ago Jemjan was charged with organising someone's murder but was acquitted. Ekkasit was promised a new car for killing Mr Larsen but after he failed he was given just 10,000 baht for his trouble. All three are now in custody as Mr Larsen recovers in hospital. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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

COVID-19 - April 30: Thailand reports 12,888 new coronavirus cases, 17,105 recoveries, 126 deaths Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258283-covid-19-april-30-thailand-reports-12888-new-coronavirus-cases-17105-recoveries-126-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19 - April 30: Thailand reports 12,888 new coronavirus cases, 17,105 recoveries, 126 deaths Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258283-covid-19-april-30-thailand-reports-12888-new-coronavirus-cases-17105-recoveries-126-deaths/

Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 4,250,949 with 28,526 deaths. The news comes as Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob inspected Suvarnabhumi airport to check its readiness before the government eases arrival rules on May 1. He said six airports under the supervision of Airports of Thailand PCL were readied and the Transport Ministry already prepared its officials to implement the new rules. From May 1 onwards, fully vaccinated people and those with negative results from their RT-PCR tests conducted within 72 hours before arrival can enter the country under normal procedures.** **THAI NEWS AGENCY contributed to this report Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 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 hopes to attract more digital nomads as it opens country to tourists BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ file photo THE pandemic did not give birth to the digital nomad concept but there is no doubt that digital nomads multiplied in the past two years. Many Filipinos sought solace from being confined within the walls of their house by going to Boracay and Siargao. There is indeed something very appealing about a “workation” where you work during the day and spend the rest of your day on the beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258281-thailand-hopes-to-attract-more-digital-nomads-as-it-opens-country-to-tourists/

file photo BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ THE pandemic did not give birth to the digital nomad concept but there is no doubt that digital nomads multiplied in the past two years. Many Filipinos sought solace from being confined within the walls of their house by going to Boracay and Siargao. There is indeed something very appealing about a “workation” where you work during the day and spend the rest of your day on the beach. The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s “Work and Wander: Meet Today’s Digital Nomads” report describes digital nomads as “a cross between the long-term expat and the two-week vacationer.” In the agency’s 2021 Digital Nomads Survey, Thailand was one of the top destinations for digital nomads, along with Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Portugal. Most digital nomads who responded to ATTA’s survey do freelance work for multiple companies (36 percent) or own their own business (33 percent). Being able to travel constantly and experiencing different cultures and meeting local people are the top reasons for living the digital nomad lifestyle. About 20 percent of respondents became digital nomads in 2020, likely as a result of Covid-19. The top challenges faced by digital nomads are always being available and working too much, uncertainty and loneliness. On average, 36 percent of the respondents’ monthly earnings pay for lodging, food and transportation; this revenue typically stays within a destination. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe As Thailand reopens with a new campaign, dubbed “Visit Thailand Year 2022 Amazing New Chapter,” the country hopes to attract more digital nomads as it makes bold moves to encourage the increase of international tourist arrivals. Full story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/04/30/thailand-hopes-to-attract-more-digital-nomads-as-it-opens-country-to-tourists/ -- © Copyright Business Mirror 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand leads Asia tourism reopening Image: Bady Abbas/Upsplash Major tourism markets in Asia Pacific, including Thailand, are getting back on track as international visitors start to plan their trips again, according to data from Bookaway Group, a ground transportation aggregator. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258280-thailand-leads-asia-tourism-reopening/

Image: Bady Abbas/Upsplash Major tourism markets in Asia Pacific, including Thailand, are getting back on track as international visitors start to plan their trips again, according to data from Bookaway Group, a ground transportation aggregator. Thailand announced the lifting of restrictions on international visitors from its key source markets in October. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Bookaway Group noted a triple-digit (up 500 per cent) month-on-month increase in the volume of tickets sold by operators in Thailand between October and December, including domestic travellers. However, the global emergence of the Omicron variant saw ticket sales drop by 20 per cent between December and January before climbing again, by single digits, in February. Full story: https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/thailand-leads-asia-tourism-reopening/ -- © Copyright Breaking Travel News 2022-04-30 - 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. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates