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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

Prolific “Dale Earnhardt” graffiti artist caught on camera spraying metal shutter door in Pattaya By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- An unidentified foreign graffiti artist, known for his prolific Dale Earnhardt graffiti seen across the city, was caught on CCTV footage while he was spraying a business shutter’s door in Pattaya early yesterday morning (May 17th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259966-prolific-“dale-earnhardt”-graffiti-artist-caught-on-camera-spraying-metal-shutter-door-in-pattaya/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- An unidentified foreign graffiti artist, known for his prolific Dale Earnhardt graffiti seen across the city, was caught on CCTV footage while he was spraying a business shutter’s door in Pattaya early yesterday morning (May 17th). CCTV footage yesterday shows the foreign man was spraying a metal shutter door of a closed business in the Pattaya area around 3:44 A.M. The fledgling artist left the name ‘Dale’ on his graffiti and the number 3, which appeared to be an artistic rendition of NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt, who passed away in a racing accident in 2001 on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Pattaya News notes that Dale Earnhardt’s graffiti has been long seen across Pattaya, as evidenced in this Youtube video from an outside source. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/18/prolific-dale-earnhardt-graffiti-artist-caught-on-camera-spraying-metal-shutter-door-in-pattaya-video/ -- © 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.

Ronaldo expected in Bangkok - organizers repairing the grass! Picture: Siam Rath Organizers preparing for the arrival of English Premiership giants Manchester United and Liverpool said that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would play in the Bangkok Century Cup 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259964-ronaldo-expected-in-bangkok-organizers-repairing-the-grass/

Picture: Siam Rath Organizers preparing for the arrival of English Premiership giants Manchester United and Liverpool said that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would play in the Bangkok Century Cup 2022. The event - featuring the two teams most supported in Thailand - will take place on July 12th at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are also expected to turn out for the Red Devils. For Liverpool Jurgen Klopp said that Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz were all set to play. They are key parts of the "Hong Daeng's" quadruple chasing attack force. This according to organizer Winit Lertrattanachai who told Siam Rath that Thais would be able to see a game like they would in England in their own backyard. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath Meanwhile Winit said that 70% of ground improvements have been completed ahead of the big clash. This includes seeding the bare grass as well as upgrading the changing rooms and tunnel. An infographic showed that fans had to pay between 5,000 and 25,000 baht for a seat. Picture: Siam Rath -- © 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