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Tourism Authority to put on lights show in Thailand’s southern tourist resorts By Thai Enquirer The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing the country’s biggest ever light show in a bid to increase tourism to three southern resort provinces. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259402-tourism-authority-to-put-on-lights-show-in-thailand’s-southern-tourist-resorts/

By Thai Enquirer The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing the country’s biggest ever light show in a bid to increase tourism to three southern resort provinces. The event, titled “Aqua Lumina, the Magical Lights of Andaman” will take place in Krabi, Phuket, and Phang-nga from May 14 to June 12. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe “For the Aqua Lumina, the Magical Lights of Andaman event, we estimate at least 90,000 tourists, both Thai and foreign, will attend the event, which will generate at least 700 million Baht,” Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports and Chairman of the event said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/40077/tourism-authority-to-put-on-lights-show-in-thailands-southern-tourist-resorts/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-05-12 - 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

Two ladyboys arrested - one admits multiple crimes of drugging and robbing foreign tourists in hotels Picture: Thai Rath Two Thai transgender men have been arrested following a string of robberies of foreign tourists in the Sukhumvit Road area of Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259400-two-ladyboys-arrested-one-admits-multiple-crimes-of-drugging-and-robbing-foreign-tourists-in-hotels/

Picture: Thai Rath Two Thai transgender men have been arrested following a string of robberies of foreign tourists in the Sukhumvit Road area of Bangkok. A Kuwaiti, two British men and a Chinese national were victims in thefts from hotel rooms where drugs were used to incapacitate the victims. Hundreds of thousands of baht was stolen along with a Rolex and iPhone. The theft that helped to break the case was reported on by ASEAN NOW back towards the end of March when a Kuwaiti fireman went to the Lumpini police saying he had taken 2 ladyboys back to his room while in Thailand looking after his sick mother, reported Thai Rath. Metropolitan chief Pol Lt-Gen Samran Nuanma said at a press conference at met HQ yesterday that Lumpini police had utilized CCTV to arrest the suspects. The ladyboys had drugged the Kuwaiti in room 411 on the fourth floor of Gulliver's Tavern in Soi 5. He was robbed of $US 6,000 or about 200,000 baht. Blood and urine tests done by the police hospital of the victim and fluids found at the scene indicated sleeping pills had been used in the crime. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath CCTV from RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk's "Smart Safety Zone" scheme led to the arrest of the two suspects. Chadaporn Ormsin, 28, was arrested at the weekend in the Phasi Charoen area while 26 year old Sipa Thiankrajang was nabbed in the Plum Condo in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi. They were both named in warrants for robbing and drugging the tourists. Chadaporn admitted to the latest theft and three more. The first was on January 5th at the Hyde Condo in Soi 13 when he stole 80,000 baht from a British tourist that he drugged. Picture: Thai Rath The second was at the Mercury Hotel in Soi 4 on March 1st when another British tourist lost 83,960 baht. The third incident happened in the Phrakhanong police area on 19th April in Soi 50 at the Mono Condo when a Chinese national lost a Rolex, a 13 Pro Max iPhone and a quantity of cash. Chadaporn had also served jail time in 2019 and 2021 for assault. The suspects are now being held on remand before their court appearances. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-12 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thailand praised for Covid-19 recovery and extent of Universal Health Care scheme Picture: Thai Rath Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said that Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha was delighted with an accolade for its health care programs and Covid-19 response measures. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259393-thailand-praised-for-covid-19-recovery-and-extent-of-universal-health-care-scheme/

Picture: Thai Rath Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said that Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha was delighted with an accolade for its health care programs and Covid-19 response measures. Thai Rath reported that Thailand was named #1 out of 184 countries in the 2021 survey by the Global Covid-19 Index (GCI) in regards to it Global Recovery Index and Global Severity Index. The country was also praised for its universal health care program that is reaching 99.61% of those eligible. 47.56 million have registered out of 47.74 million eligible. Receiving particular praise were the country's responses to HIV treatment and kidney treatment. In these areas Thailand had exceeded targets. More needed to be done on mental health issues. Ratchada said that the country had been recognised by the WHO as a medical and healthcare hub. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe She said that the aim of the government is health care for all irrespective of age. She said that the PM said that it doesn't end here, much more needs to be done to bring fairness and universal healthcare to all Thai people. But he was delighted for now. "Together wewill achieve this," she said, "with nobody left behind". Thai Rath said that Thailand was #1 in the two indices. A check on the GCI site showed Thailand currently in 79th place for Covid-19 recovery, notes ASEAN NOW. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-12 - 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

Graphic: ASEAN NOW Thailand on Thursday (May 12) reported 8,019 new COVID-19 cases, 8,807 recoveries and 59 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. https://aseannow.com/topic/1259385-covid-19-may-12-thailand-reports-8019-new-coronavirus-cases-8807-recoveries-59-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Graphic: ASEAN NOW Thailand on Thursday (May 12) reported 8,019 new COVID-19 cases, 8,807 recoveries and 59 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. https://aseannow.com/topic/1259385-covid-19-may-12-thailand-reports-8019-new-coronavirus-cases-8807-recoveries-59-deaths/

Graphic: ASEAN NOW Thailand on Thursday (May 12) reported 8,019 new COVID-19 cases, 8,807 recoveries and 59 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 4,353,237 with 29,311 deaths. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-12 - 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

Analysis: Thai Public Health Ministry doubling down on public mask mandates, say looking for ways to enforce them better for tourists By Adam Judd Bangkok, Thailand- As Thailand continues to open up and move towards treating Covid-19 as endemic, mask mandates seem unlikely to change despite regular complaints by many tourists from countries without outdoor and in many cases indoor mask mandates. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259384-analysis-thai-public-health-ministry-doubling-down-on-public-mask-mandates-say-looking-for-ways-to-enforce-them-better-for-tourists/

By Adam Judd Bangkok, Thailand- As Thailand continues to open up and move towards treating Covid-19 as endemic, mask mandates seem unlikely to change despite regular complaints by many tourists from countries without outdoor and in many cases indoor mask mandates. First, as a reference, is the original statements by the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday, May 11th. As stated briefly in the above article, at this point keeping mask mandates, even outdoors, seems to currently be part of the plan even after Covid19 is considered as endemic in Thailand. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe TPN notes there is often a lot of confusion due to mixed messages in the past about mask mandates. There is not a law to wear a mask, which is often quoted by people online, as this requires many steps and Parliament approval. However, under the emergency decree in place for over two years now, mask mandates fall under measures implemented currently in every province by communicable disease committees and fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Health. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/12/analysis-thai-public-health-ministry-doubling-down-on-public-mask-mandates-say-looking-for-ways-to-enforce-them-better-for-tourists/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-12 - 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

Driver seriously injured after truck plunges 50 metres down ravine in Hua Hin By Online Reporter A driver was seriously injured when his truck plunged 50 metres into a ravine in Hua Hin on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259377-driver-seriously-injured-after-truck-plunges-50-metres-down-ravine-in-hua-hin/

By Online Reporter A driver was seriously injured when his truck plunged 50 metres into a ravine in Hua Hin on Tuesday. Police said the accident occurred near the Ta-Yai Gorge on the Pala-U-Nong Plub Road in the Huai Sat Yai Subdistrict of Hua Hin. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The 24 tonne truck, registered in Surat Thani, crashed in heavy rain while carrying 13 tonnes of milk which had been collected from the nearby Thai-Danish Dairy. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/driver-seriously-injured-after-truck-plunges-50-metres-down-ravine-in-hua-hin/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-05-12 - 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

£0.6bn a year to uprate UK pensions for Thai retirees by Michael Bridge Many of you signed the UK Government petition regarding our UK pensions being indexed linked. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259376-£06bn-a-year-to-uprate-uk-pensions-for-thai-retirees/

by Michael Bridge Many of you signed the UK Government petition regarding our UK pensions being indexed linked. Having reached over 10,000 signatures the UK government had to respond. Here is their response received this week. The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Give U.K. pensioners living abroad increases with parity as those in the U.K.”. Government responded: There are no plans to change the policy. The Government continues to up-rate the State Pension where there is a legal requirement to do so. The UK Government has no plans to change the current arrangements for payment of UK State Pension overseas. The United Kingdom’s state pension system is primarily designed for the benefit of those who are resident in the UK. It is, however, payable worldwide and is uprated in the UK and also in countries abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so. This is a longstanding policy and has been implemented by successive Governments of all political persuasions for over 70 years. The policy has been the subject of Parliamentary debates over time and has been approved by Parliament and the Courts. The rate of National Insurance contributions paid has never earned entitlement to the uprating of pensions payable abroad. This reflects the fact that the UK scheme is primarily designed for those living in the UK. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The National Insurance scheme operates on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. Contributions paid into the National Insurance Fund in any year finance contributory benefit expenditure in the same year. A person’s contributions provide a foundation for calculating their future benefit entitlement but do not actually pay for those benefits. UK expenditure on health care costs depends on where the UK pensioner settles. While the location may be decided by the pensioner, individual countries have their own immigration policies in relation to older economically inactive people. Paying uprating to UK pension recipients in countries where it is not currently paid would mean an immediate increase in costs. There are now around 1.2 million UK State Pension recipients who are overseas residents and around 0.5 million of them do not receive increases. The cost would be £0.6bn It would cost over £0.6bn extra a year to up-rate these pensions fully, that is to pay the pension at the rate that would be applicable if the pensioner had lived in the UK throughout. Paying future increases only would cost tens of millions in the short term but would lead to the cost of full uprating (£0.6bn) in the longer term as older pensioners died and new pensioners became entitled to fully up-rated state pensions. Cost has always been a factor in deciding whether pension increases should be paid in overseas countries and successive governments have taken the view that it would be unfair to impose an additional burden on contributors and taxpayers in the UK to fund increased pensions for those who have chosen to live abroad. The Government concurs with that position. Ultimately, there is a choice for the individual to make where to live, and what the consequences are should that choice be somewhere other than the UK. The rules on uprating the State Pension are clear and well publicised. So, the choice to migrate or not remains a choice for the individual. UK State Pensions paid to people living outside the UK also go to people who migrated for economic or other reasons well before they reached pension age. Department for Work and Pensions Click this link to view the response online: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601821?reveal_response=yes The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate. The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee Thanks, The Petitions team UK Government and Parliament So that’s the response probably written by some press officer or a junior secretary at the Pensions Department and then passed onto this Petitions team. So, aren’t we worth a paltry £0.6bn a year?????? UK Defence spend In 2020/21, defence spending amounted to £42.4 billion in cash terms. This represents a nominal increase of £2.5 billion on the previous year, and real terms increase of £1.7 billion. Originally reported by The Economist, guided missile technology is one of the most expensive sectors in smart weaponry. A single medium to long-range subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile costs roughly $1.5 million, and 50kg air-to-ground Hellfire rockets cost an eye-watering $115,000 each. If you are a UK MP, they can claim £9,000 a year just for their postage expenses. There are 650 elected MP’s so they can claim together £5,850,000 just on postage. According to the Taxpayers Alliance, the total cost of MPs was up 6.47 per cent last year to £127.6 million, according to figures released today by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). The average cost of an MP was £157,747 in the 2019-20 financial year, which included expenses claims for travel and food of around £6,903 for each member of parliament. A further £718,733 was spent on hotel claims as part of the MPs’ accommodation budget. So, what I am trying to say is by just cutting back on a few missiles, or a rusty boat, we could eventually get a fair deal and receive the same monthly pension as folks retired in Spain or the Philippines. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-12 - 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

Italian man, reportedly a popular local chef, dies after motorbike crash in Pattaya By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 40-year-old Italian driver has been pronounced dead after a motorbike crash in the Pattaya area after midnight May 11th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259375-italian-man-reportedly-a-popular-local-chef-dies-after-motorbike-crash-in-pattaya/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – A 40-year-old Italian driver has been pronounced dead after a motorbike crash in the Pattaya area after midnight May 11th. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the accident at 0:30 A.M. on Jomtien Second Road in Nongprue, Banglamung. Police, emergency responders and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene shortly after. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The body of the 40-year-old male Italian motorbike rider (The Pattaya News is withholding his name pending embassy and family notification) was found face down near a damaged power pole, bleeding heavily. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/11/italian-man-reportedly-a-popular-local-chef-dies-after-motorbike-crash-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-12 - 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

Tanzanian man arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport for allegedly smuggling 53 cocaine packages in his abdomen By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi Airport police announced two major drug busts in the areas of two international airports in Thailand on Tuesday, May 10th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259374-tanzanian-man-arrested-at-suvarnabhumi-airport-for-allegedly-smuggling-53-cocaine-packages-in-his-abdomen/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi Airport police announced two major drug busts in the areas of two international airports in Thailand on Tuesday, May 10th. First, Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokhai, commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), reported that relevant officials confiscated 236 grams of crystal meth hidden in bottles of hair conditioner that were packed and addressed to a place in New Zealand. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The package was discovered at the parcel deposit point in the Don Mueang distribution center of an international shipping company. All of the confiscated drugs were transferred to the Royal Thai Police for further investigation. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/11/tanzanian-man-arrested-at-suvarnabhumi-airport-for-allegedly-smuggling-53-cocaine-packages-in-his-abdomen/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-12 - 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

Indian tourist claims his expensive gold necklace was stolen from his Pattaya hotel room by “guest”, fourth similar incident recently By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An Indian tourist’s gold necklace was stolen in his hotel room allegedly by a woman he met on Pattaya beach and invited back to his room as a “guest”. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259373-indian-tourist-claims-his-expensive-gold-necklace-was-stolen-from-his-pattaya-hotel-room-by-“guest”-fourth-similar-incident-recently/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya — An Indian tourist’s gold necklace was stolen in his hotel room allegedly by a woman he met on Pattaya beach and invited back to his room as a “guest”. The victim was reportedly bewildered after the police left him with only a police report. This is the fourth time a similar crime seemingly targeting Indian tourists happened in the Pattaya area recently. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Around 01.00 a.m. today, May 11th, Mr. Akash Choudhary, a 26-year-old Indian tourist, and his friend with an unidentified name and age reported to Pol Lt. Col. Natchaphon Saengsee, Deputy Inspector from the Pattaya Police Station, that his gold necklace worth 45,000 baht was stolen from his hotel room in the Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung, Chonburi. The police then went to investigate the scene. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/11/indian-tourist-claims-his-expensive-gold-necklace-was-stolen-from-his-hotel-room-by-guest-fourth-similar-incident-recently/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-12 - 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

76-year-old German tourist missing from hotel in Thalang, relevant agencies ask for help By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang – A 76-year-old German tourist has gone missing from a hotel in the Thalang district and relevant tourist agencies are searching for her and asking the public for assistance. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259372-76-year-old-german-tourist-missing-from-hotel-in-thalang-relevant-agencies-ask-for-help/

By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang – A 76-year-old German tourist has gone missing from a hotel in the Thalang district and relevant tourist agencies are searching for her and asking the public for assistance. The Phuket Tourists Assistance Center (TAC Phuket) reported this morning (May 11th) that a German tourist is missing, with the only released name as Ms. Barbara, 76. She has gone missing from a hotel in the Mai Khao sub-district since May 9th, 2022. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket with a white shirt tucked inside and black trousers. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/11/76-year-old-german-tourist-missing-from-hotel-in-thalang-relevant-agencies-ask-for-help/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-12 - 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

Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan fast becoming destinations of choice for millennials By Jonathan Fairfield File photo Hua Hin, once thought of as a destination for retirees or the over 50s for both Thais and expats, is increasingly attracting younger visitors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1259371-hua-hin-and-prachuap-khiri-khan-fast-becoming-destinations-of-choice-for-millennials/

File photo By Jonathan Fairfield Hua Hin, once thought of as a destination for retirees or the over 50s for both Thais and expats, is increasingly attracting younger visitors. According to data provided to Hua Hin Today in April by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, ‘millennials’ or people in the Gen Y cohort account for just over 40% of all visitors to Hua Hin. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Millennials or Gen Y represents approximately 32 percent of the population in Thailand and is the generation that is typically defined as people born from 1981 to 1996. They range from young professionals, to new parents, to parents in their thirties with children and have stable incomes, while at the same time many millennials choose to not have children or not until later in life. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/hua-hin-and-prachuap-khiri-khan-fast-becoming-destinations-of-choice-for-millennials/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-05-12 - 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