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The 18-20 May, 2022 event is a high-profile opportunity to rebuild the important Indian visitor source market to Thailand. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is prominently presenting the Thailand Stand at the 29th edition of South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022, with high-ranking Thai tourism officials and travel operators participating in the three-day event from 18-20 May, at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, New Delhi. The Thailand Stand at the SATTE 2022 reflects the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign. Measuring 190 sq m in size, the pavilion will offer visitors Thai arts and culture performances and demonstrations including Thai dancing, ancient Thai boxing, and umbrella drawing activities. It was officially opened today by H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India, Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi together with Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, and Mr. Nithi Siprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Digital Research and Development. Mr. Tanes said “The Indian market is considered an important market for Thailand, and the potential and opportunity are there to expand the number of Indians travelling to the kingdom now that travel restrictions have eased and commercial flights between the two countries are operating again. TAT is looking in particular at stimulating the leisure group, family, and Millennials market segments, as well as niche sectors like weddings and honeymoons, luxury and wellness, and golf. Attending the SATTE 2022 is also a valuable chance for Thai tourism operators to negotiate business with Indian tour operators promoting Thailand.” Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe TAT is bringing the Thai delegation to SATTE 2022 for the thirteenth time, which this year comprises 13 tourism and ground management groups, seven hotel business groups, four airline business groups, and four recreational attractions and medical services. The SATTE 2022 event is expected to attract at least 50,000 public visitors and over 35,000 trade visitors from 50 countries with more than 1,200 exhibitors on show across a total exhibition area of 25,000 sq m. Prior to the SATTE 2022, TAT organised an Amazing Thailand Destination Presentation event yesterday evening (17 May) at The Leela Palace New Delhi Hotel to present new tourism products and services to Indian travel operators and members of the media. In the same evening, TAT also hosted an Amazing New Chapter Dinner Reception to promote the latest “Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters” marketing campaign and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian-Thai diplomatic relations. India is one of Thailand’s top visitor source markets. In 2019 a total of 1,995,516 Indians travelled to the kingdom, generating tourism income of 86,372.01 million Baht representing a 24.85% rise in arrivals and 27.45% rise in income. From 1 January to 11 May, 2022, international tourist arrivals to Thailand numbered 966,686, and India was the third top source market after the United Kingdom and Germany ahead of Russia and the United States. The most popular destinations for Indian visitors were Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani, while the top activities were beaches, Thai food, and nightlife. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/05/tat-heads-strong-thai-delegation-to-leading-south-asia-travel-show-satte-2022/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-05-19 - 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.

Discussion on “safe passage” among APEC members takes centre stage Photo from Facebook page APEC 2022 Thailand Senior APEC officials have continued to discuss proposals related to “safe passage” schemes which, as part of Thailand’s priorities, could be key deliverables, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tanee Sangrat. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260033-discussion-on-“safe-passage”-among-apec-members-takes-centre-stage/

Photo from Facebook page APEC 2022 Thailand Senior APEC officials have continued to discuss proposals related to “safe passage” schemes which, as part of Thailand’s priorities, could be key deliverables, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tanee Sangrat. Tanee said that, at the 2nd APEC Safe Passage Taskforce (SPTF2) Meeting, held on Monday and chaired by Director General of Department of International Economics Affairs Cherdchai Chaivaivid, senior APEC officials discussed ways to push the safe passage agenda, in realisation of Thailand’s “Connect in all Dimensions” initiative. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The APEC Safe Passage Taskforce (SPTF), established this year, follows Thailand’s recommendation to coordinate APEC’s efforts on safe passage. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/discussion-on-safe-passage-among-apec-members-takes-centre-stage/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-19 - 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.

Thailand moves to defend its solar energy sector from a US probe into Chinese linked firms here by Joseph O' Connor In early April, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit (inset right) wrote to the US Department of Commerce and Secretary Gina Raimondo (centre) to protest a move by the International Trade Administration to launch a probe into eight large solar panel exporters in Southeast Asia including two firms in Thailand, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, asking them to declare their beneficial ownership and details of their production processes in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260032-thailand-moves-to-defend-its-solar-energy-sector-from-a-us-probe-into-chinese-linked-firms-here/

In early April, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit (inset right) wrote to the US Department of Commerce and Secretary Gina Raimondo (centre) to protest a move by the International Trade Administration to launch a probe into eight large solar panel exporters in Southeast Asia including two firms in Thailand, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, asking them to declare their beneficial ownership and details of their production processes in Thailand. The move comes after a February decision by the Biden administration to extend Trump-era tariffs which have shielded US manufacturers from Chinese competition and suspicions raised by a US firm, Auxin Solar, that dominant Chinese firms have merely set up facilities in Southeast Asia to circumvent tariffs imposed first under the Obama administration in 2012. by Joseph O' Connor Current tariffs in the United States were introduced by Trump in 2018 with some having been retained after a review by the Biden administration in February this year. Currently, American firms can only supply 35% of the solar panels required in the United States as the country seeks to move towards ambitious clean energy goals by 2035 with demand increasing by over 9% a year. Politicians and even those within the industry itself argue this would not be possible without imported panels from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand. Just a week after the USA Asean summit in Washington DC, the Thai Ministry of Commerce finds itself preparing to do battle with its counterpart in the United States which at the end of March launched a probe into two Thai based firms who exported over $1 billion worth of solar panel units to America last year. A negative finding by the International Trade Administration, the US agency carrying out the investigation, could cripple the emerging sector in the kingdom with both firms involved representing an investment of over ฿9 billion. The firms, which are part of larger worldwide concerns with Chinese links, are suspected of being vehicles to circumscribe US tariffs on the sector which have been imposed since 2012. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This investigation and the profile of both firms involved offer an insightful view into Thailand’s effort to modernise its industrial base, particularly in an industry, solar-powered energy, where the kingdom has ambitious plans for the future. The situation also shows a new reality emerging across all sectors where the United States is moving to decouple its trading and operational relationship with China, a trend that has been underway for some time within this industry but which is being impeded by China’s strategic dominance. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/19/thailand-defends-solar-panel-industry-from-us-probe/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-05-19 - 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.

Patong warns residents and businesses that no fireworks and floating lanterns are allowed By Goong Nang(GN) Patong, Phuket – The Patong Municipality has warned the public that no fireworks or floating lanterns are allowed for any event, unless special approval is given by Patong officials, with punishment strictly being enforced. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260031-patong-warns-residents-and-businesses-that-no-fireworks-and-floating-lanterns-are-allowed/

By Goong Nang(GN) Patong, Phuket – The Patong Municipality has warned the public that no fireworks or floating lanterns are allowed for any event, unless special approval is given by Patong officials, with punishment strictly being enforced. The Patong Municipality today (May 18th) has announced, “Any kind of fireworks or floating lanterns are NOT allowed in any Patong area.” Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/18/patong-warns-residents-and-businesses-that-no-fireworks-and-floating-lanterns-are-allowed/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-19 - 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.

Trays of Gold Ornaments Found in Ping River after Big Robbery TAK, May 18 (TNA) – Police found trays and pieces of gold ornaments in Muang district during their hunt for a robber who made off with gold ornaments worth about 5 million baht and 100,000 baht in cash from a local gold shop. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260030-trays-of-gold-ornaments-found-in-ping-river-after-big-robbery/

TAK, May 18 (TNA) – Police found trays and pieces of gold ornaments in Muang district during their hunt for a robber who made off with gold ornaments worth about 5 million baht and 100,000 baht in cash from a local gold shop. Local people led police to seven trays of gold ornaments left on an islet in the middle of the Ping River and six parts of gold ornaments including clasps of gold ornaments and gold bracelets on a footpath near the Wang Hin-Pra Dang Bridge in Muang district. Police believed that the robber dropped the trays and the gold ornamental parts to get rid of evidence while fleeing. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-943968 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-05-19 - 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.

Danish man recalls being sexually abused for a week in Phuket by Gregers Møller Screenshot from the documentary where Danish Mathias Søby Kristensen tells about his sexual abuse in Phuket five years ago. Mathias Søby Kristensen recalls in a Danish TV documentary how he was drugged and sexually abused by a Thai man during a weeklong nightmare vacation on Phuket. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260029-danish-man-recalls-being-sexually-abused-for-a-week-in-phuket/

Screenshot from the documentary where Danish Mathias Søby Kristensen tells about his sexual abuse in Phuket five years ago. by Gregers Møller Mathias Søby Kristensen recalls in a Danish TV documentary how he was drugged and sexually abused by a Thai man during a weeklong nightmare vacation on Phuket. The today 27 year old is one of four participants in the documentary, which has been aired in Denmark over the past couple of weeks. All four men open up and talk about different incidents that has left them impotent and uninterested in having sexual relationships ever again. Mathias Søby Kristensen told in an interview with the Danish media BT, how he was drugged during a night out in the nightlife in Phuket. He woke up again, when a Thai man picked him up from the pavement and took him with him to a location, where he was sexually abused for days. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Every time he was coming out of his intoxication, he was given more pills which he eventually started taking out of his own free will in order to deal with being forced to have sex with the Thai man. Full story: https://scandasia.com/danish-man-recalls-being-sexually-abused-for-a-week-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-05-19 - 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.

Are many online services duping Thai-based ex-pats? OPINION | By Michael Bridge File photo There are so many online services and apps we can take these days, I wonder how many we actually need. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1260028-are-many-online-services-duping-thai-based-ex-pats/

File photo OPINION | By Michael Bridge There are so many online services and apps we can take these days, I wonder how many we actually need. Not sure if this has happened to you, but this week I decided to cancel a subscription to an online service and all hell erupted. Like most of us, I was looking at several of my monthly outgoings and I noticed I was paying THB70 a month for a service called Google One. This had been going on for a number of years. To be honest, I really did not know exactly what this service offered me, so along with a few other subscriptions, I clicked to unsubscribe and thought nothing of it. Then about four days later up came a big red warning at the top of my Gmail inbox saying you are over your storage limit and future emails may not be posted. It gave me two options, sign up or start deleting emails, photos videos, and files immediately. OK, so I started to go through old files and began to delete, however afterwards the same warning still appeared on my Gmail account. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe So, like most of us I reluctantly re-subscribed and immediately received two emails saying “Welcome back to Google One. You once again have expanded storage, phone backup, expert support, and additional benefits - all in one shareable plan.” I felt I had been unfairly persuaded to resign as the deleting process they originally suggested made no difference to my storage, but they still insisted I had a major issue. It felt slightly similar when you take the car for a service, and they tell you, you need to replace the springs or water cooler or whatever. Not being a car mechanic I am instantly at the mercy of the garage, who could be just trying to make more profit that week out of us drivers. My point is I sometimes take up services when maybe I did not need them in the first place. But maybe through ignorance, I just went along with it for peace of mind. Just an observation! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-19 - 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. 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

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 19 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1260027-thailand-live-thursday-19-may-2022/

Top prosecutor in Red Bull heir hit and run case dismissed from service Former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk The Public Prosecution Service Commission decided to dismiss former deputy attorney-general Nate Naksuk today (Wednesday), after finding him guilty of negligence in the performance of his duty in the handling of the high-profile hit and run case in which a Red Bull heir, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, is implicated. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259986-top-prosecutor-in-red-bull-heir-hit-and-run-case-dismissed-from-service/

21-year-old Australian tourist falls from hotel to his death in Patong, Phuket PHOTO: Kusoldharm rescue worker A 21-year-old Australian tourist fell from a hotel in Patong to his death May 17th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259993-21-year-old-australian-tourist-falls-from-hotel-to-his-death-in-patong-phuket/

Reopening of Pubs, Bars Mulled in Green Zones BANGKOK (TNA) – The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday will consider the reopening of pubs and bars in green zones, according to a source. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259990-reopening-of-pubs-bars-mulled-in-green-zones/

Natural phenomena: Tourists wowed by rainbow as buffalos graze - there's "Sea of Fog" too Daily News Thai Cap: Natural Wonder Daily News waxed lyrical in a report from the Khao Phaeng Maa area of Wang Nam Khiaw in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the gateway to the country's Isaan or NE region. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259970-natural-phenomena-tourists-wowed-by-rainbow-as-buffalos-graze-theres-sea-of-fog-too/

Daily News Thai Cap: Natural Wonder Daily News waxed lyrical in a report from the Khao Phaeng Maa area of Wang Nam Khiaw in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the gateway to the country's Isaan or NE region. Yesterday they said that tourists were wowed by the natural phenomenon of a rainbow that appeared at an area where buffalos are viewed grazing. Picture: Daily News But it is just one of the attractions of the area. Another is the so called "Sea of Fog" - low clouds that can be viewed from above as if they are a body of water. It appeared that the media were doing their best to promote tourism rather than specifically news, notes ASEAN NOW. Picture: Daily News Picture: Daily News Picture: Daily News Picture: Daily News

Chiang Rai to Reopen Its Border Checkpoints with Laos on May 18 CHIANG RAI, May 18 (TNA) – The governor of the northern province discussed with Lao authorities preparation for the reopening of four border checkpoints with Laos on May 18. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259969-chiang-rai-to-reopen-its-border-checkpoints-with-laos-on-may-18/

CHIANG RAI, May 18 (TNA) – The governor of the northern province discussed with Lao authorities preparation for the reopening of four border checkpoints with Laos on May 18. Chiang Rai governor Passakorn Boonyalak and his delegation visited the Bokeo provincial hall in Laos to meet Chomsee Rattanaban, president of the Bokeo People’s Council of Laos to discuss the border reopening following the government’s decision to relax COVID-19 control measures. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In the meeting, authorities of Chiang Rai and Bokeo agreed to reopen four permanent border crossings consisting of the Buck Pier in Chiang Khong, the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the Ban Sop Ruak border checkpoint and the border checkpoint near the Chiang Saen district office. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-943834 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-05-18 - 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.

Reminder: Elections in Pattaya will see alcohol sales bans this upcoming weekend By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - The first mayor elections in Pattaya in almost a decade will take place this Sunday, May 22nd, in Pattaya. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259968-reminder-elections-in-pattaya-will-see-alcohol-sales-bans-this-upcoming-weekend/

By Adam Judd Pattaya, Thailand - The first mayor elections in Pattaya in almost a decade will take place this Sunday, May 22nd, in Pattaya. With this election also comes, by Thai law, a ban on alcohol sales in voting jurisdictions from 6:00 P.M. the evening before, Saturday May 21st, until polls close, 6:00 P.M. Sunday. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/18/reminder-elections-in-pattaya-will-see-alcohol-sales-bans-this-upcoming-weekend/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-18 - 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.

Ten arrested at raid of online gambling operation in Bangkok Daily News Thai Caption: Gambling website raided! Daily News reported on a raid by Thailand's "Cyber Cops" at a detached house in Soi Phetchaburi 18, Bangkapi, Huay Khwang district in Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259967-ten-arrested-at-raid-of-online-gambling-operation-in-bangkok/

Daily News Thai Caption: Gambling website raided! Daily News reported on a raid by Thailand's "Cyber Cops" at a detached house in Soi Phetchaburi 18, Bangkapi, Huay Khwang district in Bangkok. The police heard it was the center for two gambling sites - rome789.net and reddragon888.com. Ten male and female administrators were arrested - the youngest was 19. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News They were paid 14,000 baht a month to do one 12 hour shift a day. They face a year in prison and or a fine of 1,000 baht. The sites had turnover of 20 million baht a month. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-18 - 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. 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