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Picture: Siam Rath Thai media Siam Rath continued their fascination with what amulets Thai drivers are wearing when they have "miracle survivals". Rarely do such stories contain criticism of driving standards; the amulet is the news. This one happened in a klong near the estate of Thap Krabeu in Samrong sub-district of Surin, NE Thailand. Surachet, 35, was at the wheel of an Isuzu D-Max that ended up in a 3 meter deep klong or water irrigation ditch after a tire exploded. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said he was only going 60 kmph, went into a spin and thought he was going to die in the deep klong. Picture: Siam Rath But by some miracle he did not overturn in the klong and was able to save himself. He put all this down to Luang Poo Heng the abbot of Wat Pattana-aram in Surin. His gracious benevolence, through the amulet around his neck, saved the day. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Songkran crime crackdown: Thousands arrested including 777 for spreading Fake News Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a press conference attended by RTP deputy commander Gen Roy Inkhaphairoj who gave details of a Songkran crime crackdown from 8th to 14th April. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256867-songkran-crime-crackdown-thousands-arrested-including-777-for-spreading-fake-news/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported on a press conference attended by RTP deputy commander Gen Roy Inkhaphairoj who gave details of a Songkran crime crackdown from 8th to 14th April. In total 44,833 were arrested in cases involving gambling, drugs, guns, prostitution and online crime. Main point of interest was that 777 people had been caught under the banner of sharing and starting fake news. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Gambling caused 5,810 arrests, drugs 10,420, guns 2,334 and prostitution 233. More than 12,000 arrest warrants were served. Most of the rest of the crime involved contraventions of the immigration law. Apart from those arrested for spreading fake news,a further 2,440 people were caught engaging in online gambling and hundreds more were arrested for online money and goods' swindles. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Expert Warns Covid Cases Post Songkran Could Triple by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - A medical expert has warned that the number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand will likely double or triple after the long Songkran holidays due to large crowds and parties at entertainment venues across the country. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256866-expert-warns-covid-cases-post-songkran-could-triple/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - A medical expert has warned that the number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand will likely double or triple after the long Songkran holidays due to large crowds and parties at entertainment venues across the country. Associate Professor Thira Woratanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine wrote in an online post that many tourist attractions and entertainment venues have reportedly allowed their patrons or visitors to party and gather in large numbers to celebrate the Songkran festival. During the long holidays, the government prohibits water splashing, power smearing, and alcohol consumption at all Songkran venues. However, a number of revelers, both Thai and foreign, have been caught flouting the order, prompting authorities to threaten businesses that allow violations to occur with hefty fines. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Dr. Thira observed that the number of daily Covid-19 cases increased two to threefold after the long Songkran holidays last year, and predicted a similar situation this year. The Chulalongkorn professor attributed the increase in Covid cases mainly to a widespread belief that the current dominant Omicron variant is mild and controllable. Dr. Thira warned that even after they recovered from the illness, Covid patients faced long-term effects on their health and daily lives, as they could develop other chronic diseases that impose a significant financial burden on themselves, their families, and the country in the long run. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-15 - 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

Arrest warrant for former Thai soldier after 4.5 million baht armed gold shop robbery at Lotus, Korat Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop on the first floor of Lotus, Nakhon Ratchasima was hit in an armed robbery. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256865-arrest-warrant-for-former-thai-soldier-after-45-million-baht-armed-gold-shop-robbery-at-lotus-korat/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop on the first floor of Lotus, Nakhon Ratchasima was hit in an armed robbery. CCTV caught a tall, slim man dressed in black with gloves, a black balaclava and sneakers who went into the store and brandished a handgun threatening staff. He then jumped up onto the display area and helped himself to 51 gold necklaces of 3 baht weight each. This is worth 4.5 million baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The assailant then fled, it is believed on an orange and white Yamaha Fino motorcycle with no plates. The local court has issued an arrest warrant for robbery for 28 year old Kittipong Thaethaisong, a former soldier. In 2016 he was mixed up in an ice and yaba drugs case resulting in his arrest. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

FDA Warns Public Against Using Unapproved Mouth Spray for Covid by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about a mouth spray that claims to "catch and kill" the COVID-19 virus, saying the agency has never approved any product of such type. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256864-fda-warns-public-against-using-unapproved-mouth-spray-for-covid/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about a mouth spray that claims to "catch and kill" the COVID-19 virus, saying the agency has never approved any product of such type. According to FDA deputy secretary-general Weerachai Nolwachai, the product in question – made from longan extract and advertised on online media – was registered as a cosmetic food supplement with no medical qualifications. Weerachai stated that the FDA has never approved any mouth spray product that has the ability to stop or protect against the Covid virus. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Weerathai added that business owners who falsely advertise their cosmetic products face a maximum of one year in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. Those who provide false information about their food products could also face a maximum three-year prison sentence, a fine of up to 30,000 baht, or both. Weerachai urged consumers to double-check the information about FDA-approved products, report any suspected medical or food products, and file complaints by calling hotline 1556 or visiting www.fda.moph.go.th. The FDA can also be reached through the FDAThai Facebook page or the FDAThai Line Official account @FDAThai. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-15 - 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

TAT Expects Nearly Half a Million Visitors to Amazing Songkran Events by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that the "Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations" event will bring in nearly 459,000 Thai and foreign tourists and generate up to 1.8 billion baht in revenue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256863-tat-expects-nearly-half-a-million-visitors-to-amazing-songkran-events/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that the "Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations" event will bring in nearly 459,000 Thai and foreign tourists and generate up to 1.8 billion baht in revenue. As part of the ’Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that the event, which is organized in accordance with the government’s safety measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, aims to promote safety tourism, preserve Thai traditions, and allow tourists to gain new travel experiences. The Amazing Songkran festival continues until April 17 at ten temples in Bangkok: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Rakang, Wat Suthat, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket, and Wat Ratchabophit. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The event features water offerings to Buddha statues, an augmented reality photo corner, and lucky draws. Special performances, including the Khon masked dance, Thai-style antiphon singing, Thai puppet shows, and demonstrations of authentic Thai dessert making and fruit carving, have also been scheduled at Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the TAT governor stated that eventgoers will be given a temperature check and are required to strictly adhere to the mask-wearing and social distancing rules. He added that water splashing, powder smearing, or alcohol consumption are also prohibited at all venues. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-15 - 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

Lively Songkran holidays in Koh Samui - 2022 kicks 2021 into touch! Picture: Thai Rath A tour operator in Koh Samui who arranges day trips to islands said that 80% of their business was back this Songkran. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256862-lively-songkran-holidays-in-koh-samui- -2022-kicks-2021-into-touch/

Picture: Thai Rath A tour operator in Koh Samui who arranges day trips to islands said that 80% of their business was back this Songkran. Saowaluck Muksong told Thai Rath that they were doing a roaring trade with Thai and foreign tourists and their families going on trips. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath She praised the government for easing restrictions on foreign tourism and said it was great news for the tourism industry. The media also went to Big Buddha where they found plenty of tourists. And where a batik trader called Darin confirmed that 2022 Songkran was knocking spots off the 2021 version. Picture: Thai Rath ASEAN NOW notes that the holiday island has suffered terribly during two years of the pandemic. Only now is the tourism industry starting to show signs of recovery from more mainstream, rather than sandbox, tourists. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Pattaya: Police chief calls on attacks on tourists to stop - resort's image badly damaged Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pattaya's image as a tourist resort had been badly damaged after a melee involving foreign tourists and bouncers on Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256861-pattaya-police-chief-calls-on-attacks-on-tourists-to-stop-resorts-image-badly-damaged/

Pattaya: Police chief calls on attacks on tourists to stop - resort's image badly damaged Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pattaya's image as a tourist resort had been badly damaged after a melee involving foreign tourists and bouncers on Wednesday. It happened late at night after closing in Soi Bua Khao. A group of foreign tourists on motorcycles were arguing and a group of bouncers went into stop trouble, or so they claimed. In the end CCTV caught them causing it as fists flayed. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath A Thai lady called Waranya Sikasri, 34, had taken an injured Italian tourist called Vincenzo C. to file a report after he was attacked. Yesterday Pattaya police cheif Pol Col Kulachart Kulachai called on attacks on tourists to stop, reported Siam Rath. Picture: Siam Rath He promised that he would maintain order in the resort and issued assault charges against those involved. The Thai media said it was time for good pictures to present Thailand in a good light - not these damaging images of violence especially at a time like Songkran. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Water guns confiscated as Thai police prevent Songkran splashing at Khao San Road Picture: Daily News Most Thai media were at Bangkok's Khao San road yesterday - the second day of the Songkran festival, the new year in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256859-water-guns-confiscated-as-thai-police-prevent-songkran-splashing-at-khao-san-road/

Picture: Daily News Most Thai media were at Bangkok's Khao San Road yesterday - the second day of the Songkran festival, the new year in Thailand. This followed scenes on Wednesday when foreign and Thai tourists engaged in water fights contrary to regulations. Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath said that the police and district authorities were determined to stop tourists playing with water as it represented a chance for Covid-19 spread. Phra Nakhon district official Wasan Bunmeunwai went to the tourist street with Chana Songkram station policemen as both ends of the street were tightly monitored. Picture: Thai Rath Crowds gathered and people were checked for mask wearing and to make sure they had no water guns. Daily News reported that late last night Lt-Gen Torsak Sukwimol and met chief Lt-Gen Samran Nuanma were in Khao San Road to ensure their crackdown was effective. Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported no water guns were allowed - they had a picture of a large number of local officials lined up ready for action. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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: Thai Rath Picture: Thai Rath Picture: Daily News Picture: Thai Rath Picture;:Thai Rath

Thailand reports year-high record total of 119 new COVID-19 deaths File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256847-thailand-reports year-high-record total-of-119-new-covid-19-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports year-high record total of 119 new COVID-19 deaths File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256847-thailand-reports year-high-record total-of-119-new-covid-19-deaths/

File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,993,292 with 26,629 deaths. The news comes as authorities have confirmed they have not found any cases of Omicron sub-variant BA.4 and BA.5 infections in Thailand. The Ramathibodi Hospital’s Center for Medical Genomics (CMG) said that the World Health Organization (WHO) is now monitoring six Omicron subvariants which are BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5. According to the CMG, the BA.2 sub-variant is responsible for 94 percent of Omicron infections worldwide and has replaced the BA.1 strain as the dominant strain in Thailand.** **NNT contributed to this report Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Availability of land makes Phetchaburi a favourite for Thailand’s first legal casino By Online Reporter File photo Phetchaburi has become a surprising front runner as the possible location for Thailand’s first legal casino-entertainment complex. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256838-availability-of-land-makes-phetchaburi-a-favourite-for-thailand’s-first-legal-casino/

File photo By Online Reporter Phetchaburi has become a surprising front runner as the possible location for Thailand’s first legal casino-entertainment complex. Currently, Thailand’s lower house of parliament is weighing up proposals to open a casino-entertainment complex as a way to attract more foreign tourists, boost the economy and generate extra revenue for the government. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe For decades, various Thai governments have been toying with the idea of legalising gambling, but the casino-entertainment complex proposal is arguably the most significant step towards legal gambling in Thailand. In December last year, MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of setting up a committee to review the proposal and look into the possibility of opening a casino in Thailand. The findings are set to be presented to the Cabinet for its consideration within the next month. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/availability-of-land-makes-phetchaburi-a-favourite-for-thailands-first-legal-casino/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-15 - 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

UPDATE: Minister proposes that vaccinated tourists fly in without notice from May 1st to boost the economy by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday that his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would propose the scrapping of both the ‘Test and Go’ scheme and the Thailand Pass application from May 1st at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on April 22nd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256792-ccsa-to-consider-proposal-to-suspend-test-go-and-thailand-pass/?do=findComment&comment=17305793

Minister proposes that vaccinated tourists fly in without notice from May 1st to boost the economy by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday that his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would propose the scrapping of both the ‘Test and Go’ scheme and the Thailand Pass application from May 1st at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on April 22nd. It comes as new data suggests Thailand is falling behind its peers in Southeast Asia with consequent damage to the country’s valuable foreign tourism industry. Thailand’s foreign tourism industry is not expected to make a full recovery until 2026 according to Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput as the Asia Pacific region lags behind the rest of the world in ramping up its travel industry from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, 55% of air travellers in the region are from either North America or Europe with an even higher percentage of tourists. The government may be on the verge of abolishing the Thailand Pass application as well as the ‘Test and Go’ scheme if a proposal by the minister finds favour at a meeting on April 22nd next of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). This comes as data supplied by ForwardKeys, a travel industry intelligence firm, shows the kingdom’s lucrative foreign tourism industry is under threat from Southeast Asian rivals because of the government’s stringent controls in response to the pandemic. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports said on Wednesday that his ministry, in association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), would table a proposal with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at its next meeting on April 22nd to urgently scrap the country’s Test and Go regime for vaccinated travellers as well as the Thailand Pass scheme and replace it by allowing passengers to fly in directly to the kingdom while only showing their vaccine passports or proof of vaccination. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/14/tourists-to-fly-in-without-notice-from-may/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-15 - 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

One teen dead, three others injured after sedan crashes into a motorbike sidecar in the Pattaya area By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – One teenage woman was pronounced dead at the scene while three other teenagers have sustained injuries after a sedan crashed into a motorbike sidecar in Banglamung. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256837-one-teen-dead-three-others-injured-after-sedan-crashes-into-a-motorbike-sidecar-in-the-pattaya-area/