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Moody’s Maintains Thailand’s Credit Rating at Baa1 by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Global credit rating company Moody’s has announced its latest credit rating for Thailand, maintaining it at Baa1 - the same score as the previous year, owing to the diversity of the kingdom’s economy as well as its robust financial sector. Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), said the rating reflects the size and diversity of the Thai economy and the effectiveness of its flexible macroeconomic policies. She noted that another factor contributing to the score has been the government’s investment promotion measures under the Eastern Economic Corridor campaign, which is expected to further boost the economy over the next 2-3 years. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The director-general said Moody’s Baa1 rating is comparable to S&P’s BBB+ rating, adding that Thailand’s economy is expected to grow by 3.4% this year and 4.8% next year. Compared to other countries at the same credit rating level, Thailand’s public financial sector remains robust with a slight increase in government debt-to-GDP ratio to 52-54%. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand Approves Enhanced Incentives to Boost EV Use by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) says Thailand has expanded incentives to boost the use of electric vehicles (EVs), as the kingdom looks to preserve its status as a major Southeast Asian auto production hub. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256330-thailand-approves-enhanced-incentives-to-boost-ev-use/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) says Thailand has expanded incentives to boost the use of electric vehicles (EVs), as the kingdom looks to preserve its status as a major Southeast Asian auto production hub. Duangjai Asawachintachit, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BOI), told a news conference that smaller charging stations will now be eligible for three-year tax benefits - an extra incentive on top of a five-year corporate income tax exemption available to investments in charging stations with at least 40 chargers. The BOI head said a condition barring investors from receiving additional benefits from other agencies, and a requirement for ISO certification, have also been removed. She also said the revised measures are to ensure that "incentives stay relevant in a fast-changing business environment." Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thailand is encouraging consumers to shift to EVs, with a goal of ensuring 30% of its total auto production output is EVs by 2030. In the January-March period, overall foreign and Thai investment applications, including for the auto industry, were worth 110.7 billion baht (US$3.3 billion), down 6% from a year earlier due to global geopolitical and economic challenges. However, foreign investment pledges alone rose 29% to 77.3 billion baht in the January-March period, with Taiwan, Japan and China as the top three investors. Among targeted industries, the auto sector topped the list with an investment value of 41.6 billion baht, followed by agriculture and food processing with 12 billion baht, and electronics with 10.3 billion baht. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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

Campaign winners and losers in the race to become Bangkok governor The 31 candidates vying for the Bangkok governor’s post now have less than 50 days to impress the voters. But after examining their policies and campaigns, political observers believe they can separate the top contenders from the flops. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256329-campaign-winners-and-losers-in-the-race-to-become-bangkok-governor/

The 31 candidates vying for the Bangkok governor’s post now have less than 50 days to impress the voters. But after examining their policies and campaigns, political observers believe they can separate the top contenders from the flops. According to the analysts, all the candidates share similar policies to address Bangkok’s long-standing problems of flooding, traffic congestion, quality of life, and pollution. Yet some aspirants stand out thanks to their presentation techniques and practical plans to implement their ideas. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Who has the ‘wow factor’? Dr. Stithorn Thananithichot, director of Innovation for Democracy under the King Prajadhipok Institute, pointed to independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt as the first candidate who stood out from the rest. Instead of spotlighting big policies, Chadchart has presented 200 small ideas to fill the gaps and deliver tangible results given that all key city infrastructure is already in place. According to him, Bangkok just needs to link up services and infrastructure to boost efficiency and people’s life quality. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/campaign-winners-and-losers-in-the-race-to-become-bangkok-governor/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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

Oral mixture developed to help small children take anti-viral Favipiravir The Faculty of Pharmacy at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University has developed a liquid solution in which crushed Favipiravir tablets can be dissolved to help young children infected with COVID-19 take the medicine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256328-oral-mixture-developed-to-help-small-children-take-anti-viral-favipiravir/

The Faculty of Pharmacy at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University has developed a liquid solution in which crushed Favipiravir tablets can be dissolved to help young children infected with COVID-19 take the medicine. Dr. Wanchai Chongcharoen, a lecturer at the faculty, said that they faculty became aware of the difficulties faced by parents, when giving the medication to very young children, and decided to find a way to address it and, thereby, help the infected children. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The liquid solution tastes sweet, which will make it easier for children to take Favipiravir orally, said Dr. Wanchai, adding that the advantages of the solution are that the medicine is suspended in the liquid, will not end up deposited at the bottom of the container and can be kept for ten days in a fridge or at room temperature. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/oral-mixture-developed-to-help-small-children-take-anti-viral-favipiravir/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-11 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

to continue: Thailand Live Monday 11 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1256327-thailand-live-monday-11-april-2022/

Drunk drivers could face jail time without suspension during Songkran Drink and drive motorists or motorcyclists caught by police during the long Songkran holiday, between Monday and Sunday, are more likely to be sent to jail without suspension if convicted, as authorities vow to get tough on drunk driving, traditionally one of the major causes of road accidents during the holidays. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256326-drunk-drivers-could-face-jail-time-without-suspension-during-songkran/

Drink and drive motorists or motorcyclists caught by police during the long Songkran holiday, between Monday and Sunday, are more likely to be sent to jail without suspension if convicted, as authorities vow to get tough on drunk driving, traditionally one of the major causes of road accidents during the holidays. Pol Maj-Gen Raveepan Amornmuneepong, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 6, said yesterday that police recently discussed measures to discourage drunk driving with senior judicial and corrections officials. The measures include the court’s exercise of discretion when handing out suspended jail terms to those convicted of drunk driving. All agreed that drunk driving must be dealt with decisively during the long holidays and that the courts should not suspend jail terms, he said. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/drunk-drivers-could-face-jail-time-without-suspension-during-songkran/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-11 - Aetna 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

Vending machines in Thailand make Covid-19 treatment more accessible for mild- symptom patients Carol Mang Some hospitals in Thailand have installed vending machines for Covid-19 patients with mild or no symptoms. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256255-vending-machines-in-thailand-make-covid-19-treatment-more-accessible-for-mild-symptom-patients/

Carol Mang Some hospitals in Thailand have installed vending machines for Covid-19 patients with mild or no symptoms. After being discharged from hospital, patients can pick up medicine and self-testing kits before continuing self-isolation at home. Source: https://www.scmp.com/video/asia/3173592/vending-machines-thailand-make-covid-19-treatment-more-accessible-mild-symptom -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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

Stubborn cats in the road! Viral stars revealed Naew Na Thai caption: Overnight celebrities in viral story Naew Na reported on a story doing the rounds of Thai social media. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256254-stubborn-cats-in-the-road-viral-stars-revealed/

Naew Na Thai caption: Overnight celebrities in viral story Naew Na reported on a story doing the rounds of Thai social media. It involved a woman who had ordered food from a delivery rider but left a note to warn about two cats in the road. She said they were fat and wouldn't move out of the way for cars or bikes. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Naew Na They couldn't care less about horns, either. So she said to drive carefully so the rider could go around them safely. Subsequent Facebook posts were a relief to thousands of cat lovers who demanded pictures of the cats. Who are now overnight celebrities! Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information Picture: Naew Na

Anutin in "I'll do what I say election pledge" Picture: INN The clarion call of the Bhumjai Thai party as they take on the next general election is "Phuut Laew Tham" - literally 'say then do' - a promise to follow through on election pledges. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256253-anutin-in-ill-do-what-i-say-election-pledge/

Picture: INN The clarion call of the Bhumjai Thai party as they take on the next general election is "Phuut Laew Tham" - literally 'say then do' - a promise to follow through on election pledges. The slogan came to the fore as party leader and DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul joined a party to celebrate the founding of BJT. Also in attendance was transport chief and party secretary Saksayam Chidchob and deputy party leader and tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe All are key figures in that election pledge in which BJT hope to get more seats in parliament. Following the news of the celebration Anutin went online to say that he hopes the party's 14th year will be the best yet and announced a renovation of the drab party HQ to be completed in the next 6 months, reported INN .Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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

South set for multi-million baht tourism bonanza at Songkran, predicts TAT Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that authorities in Surat Thani in the south of Thailand were confident of tourism spending at Songkran being 631 million baht this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256251-south-set-for-multi-million-baht-tourism-bonanza-at-songkran-predicts-tat/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that authorities in Surat Thani in the south of Thailand were confident of tourism spending at Songkran being 631 million baht this year. The prediction came from the Surat Thani office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, chief Nanthawan Siriphokphat. The media reported after rains and storms battered the area. Nanthawan said many activities were planned for the three islands at Songkran between 13th and 17th April. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath She expected 54,198 visitors after she did a survey. Of these 35,891 would be Thai and 18,307 foreigners. The average stay in Surat would be four days. They would all be spending 631.89 million baht. Even more if they have an egg on their fried rice, notes ASEAN NOW. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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

NE ladyboy turns up for military duty dressed in SAS flight attendant's uniform Sanook Thai Caption: Reporting for duty! Sanook reported that a ladyboy from Bung Kan in the NE of Thailand finished work in Norway then turned up at the army draft dressed in an SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) attendant's uniform. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256247-ne-ladyboy-turns-up-for-military-duty-dressed-in-sas-flight-attendants-uniform/

Sanook Thai Caption: Reporting for duty! Sanook reported that a ladyboy from Bung Kan in the NE of Thailand finished work in Norway then turned up at the army draft dressed in an SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) attendant's uniform. It caused quite a stir as the potential recruit revealed they had been fined 300 baht for not answering a summons. It happened at the draft in Sophisai district yesterday. The stewardess was Nai (Mr) Natthaporn Yawara, aged 23. She is also known as Ploy, or gem. After paying her fine she was then taken away to have her particulars noted and was given a health check. The applicant was given an exemption based on the fact that his current sexual orientation didn't match his gender at birth. Ploy was happy to speak to the large pack of press hounds, who follow the annual draft looking for stories like this. She said that in 2019 at age 21 her mother pressed her to attend the draft but she had just started as a stewardess on SAS. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Then in 2020 the pandemic scuppered her attendance. But now it was only one day quarantine Ploy decided to come back, go to her home province and face the draft. She said that both her mum and dad are Norwegian and that she had been living abroad. But her mum still wanted her to fulfil her Thai duties. She said that in Norway she used the term "Miss" (nang sao) and has had surgery on her breasts but not surgery "downstairs". Wheteher she would opt for sex change surgery was a decision for later, she said, adding that "suan faen yang mai mee kha" - "as far as a boyfriend goes, no I don't have one". She said that she was the first Thai ladyboy to not have 100% sex reallocation surgery who is now a stewardess. She thanked SAS for that chance though it took her three attempts until she was successful. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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: Sanook

How Thai “feminist” law students are challenging the patriarchy and cultural norms By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World “Feminism is demanding equal rights for all genders. Everyone can become a feminist, regardless of our gender. We don’t have to believe or fight in the same way, but we can fight in different ways. As long as our aim is to demand equality, anyone can become a feminist.” Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256244-how-thai-“feminist”-law-students-are-challenging-the-patriarchy-and-cultural-norms/

By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World “Feminism is demanding equal rights for all genders. Everyone can become a feminist, regardless of our gender. We don’t have to believe or fight in the same way, but we can fight in different ways. As long as our aim is to demand equality, anyone can become a feminist.” This is Napatchanok Insawang’s definition of feminism, as a third-year law student of Thammasat University and president of the Thammasat Law School Feminist Club, a community which advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Student feminism movement Thammasat Law School Feminist Club, which is mainly comprised of law students from all year groups, with current third-year students being committee members, was formed after they held a Clubhouse discussion last year, to exchange their views on sexual harassment. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe “At first we held a Clubhouse discussion, because we want people within the Faculty of Law to talk about the problems they have encountered with harassment,” Miranda Payungwattana, the vice-president of the feminist club explained. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-thai-feminist-law-students-are-challenging-the-patriarchy-and-cultural-norms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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

Video: Attractive Thai female referee getting plenty of admirers Sanook Thai Caption: Angel with the whistle! Sanook reported that a female referee called Krongkwan, 24, was gaining lots of followers on Instagram. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256243-video-attractive-thai-female-referee-getting-plenty-of-admirers/

Sanook Thai Caption: Angel with the whistle! Sanook reported that a female referee called Krongkwan, 24, was gaining lots of followers on Instagram. They said she was beautiful and that her nickname was "Ying". She loves football and was inspired by a friend to take up the whistle. She started with under 15 youth games in inter provincial matches but then got her first big break with a major Footsal championship. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Sanook Gallery She is from Sakon Nakhon in the north east of Thailand and has a degree in education. She appeared at the 45th national games in volleyball. She can be followed on Instagram on krongkwan_18. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna 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’s banks try to find their feet in fast-changing world By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk Thailand’s banking industry has waded through many economic crises in the last few decades, the latest being the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their preparedness, new risks and challenges continue to test the banks’ resilience. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256241-thailand’s-banks-try-to-find-their-feet-in-fast-changing-world/