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Alcohol Restrictions Relaxed for Certified Restaurants Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will allow certified restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages until midnight starting next month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257717-alcohol-restrictions-relaxed-for-certified-restaurants/

Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will allow certified restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages until midnight starting next month. CCSA Spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin said restaurants that meet Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus, COVID 2 Plus or COVID Free Setting standards will be permitted to sell alcoholic drinks until midnight starting May 1. Currently, certified restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol until 11 PM. The CCSA spokesperson noted that night entertainment venues - such as nightclubs, bars and karaoke parlors - will remain closed. However, operators can transform these venues into restaurants to serve alcohol after they receive approval from their local communicable disease committee. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The CCSA has also adjusted the color-coded disease control categories applied to different provinces. Thai provinces are now designated as either belonging to the yellow category for high surveillance or the blue tourism category. There are currently 65 yellow provinces and 12 blue provinces, with Rayong and Songkhla recently added to the blue zone list. The zone adjustment will take effect on May 1, 2022. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-25 - 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

100,000 Thai Workers to be Sent Abroad This Year by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Amid relaxed travel restrictions, labor export firms and relevant agencies have attended a discussion hosted by the Ministry of Labor to ensure that Thai workers gain the most benefits from working abroad. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257716-100000-thai-workers-to-be-sent-abroad-this-year/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Amid relaxed travel restrictions, labor export firms and relevant agencies have attended a discussion hosted by the Ministry of Labor to ensure that Thai workers gain the most benefits from working abroad. Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said the COVID-19 situation had forced many nations to curb international travel, including delaying entry for foreign workers. As the disease situation gradually improves, many countries have relaxed travel restrictions and are once again accepting migrant workers. Suchart said his ministry aims to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad this year. To ensure this target is met and Thai workers benefit from the move, representatives from 127 labor export firms recently convened with ministry officials to establish an understanding and discuss employee wages, benefits and protections. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Department of Employment has previously worked to expand the market for Thai workers abroad. Additional labor cooperation agreements have also been enacted with several countries such as Saudi Arabia, with demand generally high for skilled construction and tourism workers. For the Japanese market, the demand is particularly high for office housekeepers while Australia is seeking more farmhands and the UAE requires construction, services and spa workers. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-25 - 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’s Phra Thong islanders petition in favour of water retention project Villagers on Phra Thong Island, in the southern province of Phang-nga, have been collecting signatures to support a water retention project on the island, in an effort to break an impasse between the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257715-thailand’s-phra-thong-islanders-petition-in-favour-of-water-retention-project/

Villagers on Phra Thong Island, in the southern province of Phang-nga, have been collecting signatures to support a water retention project on the island, in an effort to break an impasse between the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). The DMCR has ordered an immediate stop to the land clearing operation for the project, claiming that it has encroached on mangrove forests and that no permission has been granted by the department for the use of the land. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The RID and the Phra Thong Island Tambon (sub-district) Administrative Organisation (TAO) are, however, insisting that it is state land and permission for its use was granted by the Phang-nga governor in 1985. Ouaychai Meechai, construction chief of the RID office in Surat Thani, said that the 350 million baht project is an extension of the existing 4.8 hectare water retention area, to cover a total of 72 hectares, including 53.44 hectares of state land, for which utilisation permission has already been granted. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-phra-thong-islanders-petition-in-favour-of-water-retention-project/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25 - 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

Myanmar immigration building near Thai border car bombed Saturday night A car bomb exploded at the Myanmar immigration building, on the approach to the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot district of Tak province, setting fire to the building and nearby commercial shop houses. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257714-myanmar-immigration-building-near-thai-border-car-bombed-saturday-night/

A car bomb exploded at the Myanmar immigration building, on the approach to the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot district of Tak province, setting fire to the building and nearby commercial shop houses. A fierce gun battle also broke out between Myanmar troops and rebel forces after the explosion, which occurred at about 11pm. The 4-storey building and some shop houses sustained heavy damage and a car also caught fire. The wreckage of a pick-up truck, suspected to have been used to carry the bomb, was found near the border checkpoint. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/myanmar-immigration-building-near-thai-border-car-bombed-saturday-night/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25 - 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

Pheu Thai party aims to win at least 250 House seats in next election Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew The opposition Pheu Thai party has set a target to win as many as 251 parliamentary seats in the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257713-pheu-thai-party-aims-to-win-at-least-250-house-seats-in-next-election/

Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew The opposition Pheu Thai party has set a target to win as many as 251 parliamentary seats in the next general election. Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew said at the party’s general assembly, held today (Sunday) on the theme of “Landslide Pheu Thai for every Thai Citizen”, that the only way for the party to form the next government is to win a landslide victory. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chaikasem Nitisiri, former justice minister and a core member of the party, said that, although the Pheu Thai party won more seats in the House than any other single party in the last general election, it was unable to form a government due to a restriction in the Constitution. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-aims-to-win-at-least-250-house-seats-in-next-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25 - 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

Rare alignment of planets visible in the morning sky from Monday Star gazers and budding astrologers will have the chance to catch a glimpse of a rare alignment of Saturn, Mars, Venus and Jupiter and a crescent moon from April 25th to 27th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257712-rare-alignment-of-planets-visible-in-the-morning-sky-from-monday/

Star gazers and budding astrologers will have the chance to catch a glimpse of a rare alignment of Saturn, Mars, Venus and Jupiter and a crescent moon from April 25th to 27th. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said that the rare celestial phenomenon across the morning sky can be seen on in the eastern sky with the naked eye from all parts of Thailand from 4am until sunrise, if the skies are clear. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The crescent moon will be seen next to Saturn on Monday and then move closer to Venus and Jupiter on Tuesday and Wednesday, said NARIT. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rare-alignment-of-planets-visible-in-morning-the-sky-from-monday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25 - 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

Foreign tourist says wallet was taken by two transgender individuals in Pattaya, second incident in two days By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A foreign tourist reported to Pattaya police after midnight April 23rd on Pattaya Second Road that two people who appeared to be transgender tried to hug him and solicit him for sexual services, which he declined. He later found his wallet, which he said had 10,000 baht in cash, was missing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257711-foreign-tourist-says-wallet-was-taken-by-two-transgender-individuals-in-pattaya-second-incident-in-two-days/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A foreign tourist reported to Pattaya police after midnight April 23rd on Pattaya Second Road that two people who appeared to be transgender tried to hug him and solicit him for sexual services, which he declined. He later found his wallet, which he said had 10,000 baht in cash, was missing. The Pattaya City Police was notified at 0:16 A.M. by the 36-year-old male foreign tourist that the incident happened on Pattaya Second Road. His name and nationality were withheld following further investigation. Police immediately inspected the scene and TPN reporters joined them. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The victim told police, “I stopped at a convenience store before walking back to my accommodation after a night out. On the way back to my hotel, there were two people who appeared to be transgender individuals that approached me and tried to hug me. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/23/foreign-tourist-says-wallet-was-taken-by-two-transgender-individuals-in-pattaya-second-incident-in-two-days/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-25 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 25 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1257710-thailand-live-monday-25-april-2022/

Why can’t the Thai Govt speed up opening the doors to tourism? by Michael Bridge So far, the expected spike in Covid cases after the Songkran holidays has not raised its ugly head, so why can’t tourists be encouraged back without crazy restrictions? Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257709-why-can’t-the-thai-govt-speed-up-opening-the-doors-to-tourism/

by Michael Bridge So far, the expected spike in Covid cases after the Songkran holidays has not raised its ugly head, so why can’t tourists be encouraged back without crazy restrictions? The government have declared subject to official confirmation that they will be relaxing the entry rules for foreigners entering the country but is it enough? The controversial Test & Go travel scheme for foreign arrivals and RT-PCR testing upon arrival is expected to end at the end of April. This means vaccinated travellers will only need to take self-antigen tests during their stay from May 1 as part of a further easing of entry rules. With the easing of travel regulations, the government confirmed that Thailand will fully reopen to foreign visitors from May 1. But will it still make it easier for tourists already wary of travelling overseas? Here are the new rules explained, which were apparently approved at a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) this week, although they still need to be officially confirmed in the Royal Gazette. Vaccinated visitors will not be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival anymore. It will be recommended they self-test using antigen kits during their stay. Vaccinated travellers must register for entry via Thailand Pass and present proof of vaccination. If they test positive, they could enter their Covid-19 insurance process or take care of their own treatment. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Unvaccinated travellers will be welcomed if they present proof of a negative RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before their trip and register via Thailand Pass. They will be quarantined for five days, with another RT-PCR test on day 4-5. They will also be advised to do self-antigen testing during their stay. High-risk visitors will be quarantined for five days. The minimum Covid-19 insurance coverage for all foreign arrivals will be US$10,000. The compulsory tests under the Test & Go entry scheme could be lifted because figures showed an extremely low infection rate among foreign arrivals, only 0.46%, through Test & Go this month. For arrivals by land, foreign visitors who intend to stay no longer than three days must be fully vaccinated and pass self-antigen tests. Otherwise, they cannot enter the country. For visitors who intend to stay longer, fully vaccinated travellers will not be quarantined if they pass antigen tests, while unvaccinated travellers would be quarantined for five days. Confused??? Still confusing isn’t it, and as many know, the Thailand Pass online registration in the past has been very erratic and can take up to a week to give final confirmation. However, there is more uncertainty to come as the government has plans to devise some different measures for vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign arrivals by air. No spike According to WHO figures up to April 20th, the average number of new laboratory-confirmed (PCR positive) COVID-19 cases reported per day in Thailand decreased by 19% in the past seven days compared to the previous week. Surely any spike would have been noticed by now. With the entire Thai population already feeling the cost of rising fuel and general price hikes in the shops, every incoming tourist should at least enable many to return to work which is now essential. So, for the sake of a few Omicron cases, why not just open the borders, without all this red tape and uncertainty? This is now a survival course for Thailand’s tourist industry. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-25 - 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

Test and Go dies a death - but all I care about is Mango and Sticky Rice I am sure it was important news for many people when the CCSA decided to scrap RT-PCR tests of overseas arrivals meaning the death of the Test and Go scheme come May 1st. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257626-test-and-go-dies-a-death-but-all-i-care-about-is-mango-and-sticky-rice/

I am sure it was important news for many people when the CCSA decided to scrap RT-PCR tests of overseas arrivals meaning the death of the Test and Go scheme come May 1st. I’m sure as a responsible journalist - nay columnist - I should care that ATK tests (WTF?) will be suggested thereafter. I probably should give a monkeys that the Thailand Pass will remain in place. But I don’t. I am a Thai resident, you see. I only care about food. Especially Thai sweets and desserts. So this week I was glued to all the announcements after lovely Thai rapper Milli promoted Mango and Sticky Rice with Coconut Cream at a concert in Southern California. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe I tried to get to Big C to buy some as my craving hit the roof but to no avail. In doing so it meant I had to walk past Svensons and they had a mango and sticky rice promotion at a price that was stealing money from a baby. With dollops of ice cream on top to boot. I piled in and made a fool of myself by drooling. When asked whether I like Thai food, as Thais always do, I usually reply yes. But as relationships deepen they soon discover the extent of my love for Thai food - apart from Som Tam - is really invested in sweets. Mango and Sticky Rice is the queen. Durian (and durian ice cream) is the King. The princesses are foi thong (the golden strands) and other orange colored things that I never found out the name of because I was too busy stuffing my mouth full. So Milli, if you’re reading and need help when you come back to Thailand remember Rooster. Our multicultural approach could take the mango to a whole new level. Especially as I’m in the Big Mango. Top story of the week was a security guard in Bangkok who got a 300,000 baht reward for sighting a missing Scottish Fold cat. Not a bad job if you can get it. A missing family from Sukhothai reportedly ended up in Turkey - but how much does dad owe? In international news UK home secretary Priti Patel once again failed to live up to her first name. She defended a plan to ship refugees from caring Britain to Rwanda. As we all know it’s sunny and lovely 24/7 365 in Rwanda. Finally, Earth Day was Friday. Post pandemic - now in the age of motosai delivery Mark 2 - people are using ever more plastic. Please forget convenience and try to say no to using too much plastic. Please recycle and think green. And think how we may grow more mangoes. Rooster -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-23 - 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

Clamp removing driver surrenders to police in south: 1,400 baht fine and faces two further charges Picture: Manager Manager reported on the case of a man caught on tape using a cutting tool to remove a police clamp from the right front wheel of his vehicle. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257624-clamp-removing-driver-surrenders-to-police-in-south-1400-baht-fine-and-faces-two-further-charges/

Picture: Manager Manager reported on the case of a man caught on tape using a cutting tool to remove a police clamp from the right front wheel of his vehicle. He had parked illegally on Thammanoon Withi Road in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. After cutting off the clamp he drove off with the clamp attachment and the clamp itself. Plus his ticket. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The driver surrendered to police later. He was fined 1,400 for the parking offence and a related misdemeanor. Then he was charged by the police with criminal damage and moving a vehicle without permission. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-23 - 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

No more "cheating" man for me, says Kan: Sword wielding attack was the last straw! Naew Na Thai Caption: Let that be a lesson to you!! Lady won't reconcile, Ex gets violent, grabs knife Naew Na posted many still photos from a video that was widely viewed online that involved a Thai man attacking his former wife. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257623-no-more-cheating-man-for-me-says-kan-sword-wielding-attack-was-the-last-straw/

Naew Na Thai Caption: Let that be a lesson to you!! Lady won't reconcile, Ex gets violent, grabs knife Naew Na posted many still photos from a video that was widely viewed online that involved a Thai man attacking his former wife. He threatened her with a sword though the woman was not hit. She filed a police report and her ex apologised but she said she was not reconciling with him. The media caught up with Kan, 23. who admitted she was the lady in the clip. She said she had been married to her ex for three years until last year when they decided to divorce. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The reason was her former partner's infidelity. She said that though they were separated they would still meet and on this occasion he had asked for help in moving some stuff. She went and an argument soon ensued and phones were grabbed. The incident was the final straw for any chance of a reconciliation, she said. A report was filed with police. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-23 - 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: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na Picture: Naew Na

Video: Taxi driver allegedly caught sniffing glue behind the wheel at the lights! Naew Na Tha Caption: Breathe it all in! Weird sniffing glue behavior in a taxi revealed Naew Na repeated claims made on a popular Facebook page that a taxi driver was sniffing glue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257621-video-taxi-driver-allegedly-caught-sniffing-glue-behind-the-wheel-at-the-lights/