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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. Banks and other types of financial institutions that survived the 1997 Asian financial crisis have become stronger. The industry, as well as Thailand’s economy, was not much impacted by the global financial crisis in 2008. They are being tested again, by the persisting COVID pandemic and the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A bank-based economy Banks play a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, which is labeled a bank-based economy. Financial institutions have served both depositors and borrowers, fuelling economic growth. A bank-based economy is different from capital-based economies, such as the United States, where businesses largely raise funds via the capital market—the stock market. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-banks-try-to-find-their-feet-in-fast-changing-world/ -- © 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

Monk has modern tech to thank for survival in the jungle - he Googled! Picture: Thai Rath There was a happy conclusion to a story about a monk missing in the national park of Khao Phrawihan in Sisaket province, NE Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256240-monk-has-modern-tech-to-thank-for-survival-in-the-jungle-he-googled/

Picture: Thai Rath There was a happy conclusion to a story about a monk missing in the national park of Khao Phrawihan in Sisaket province, NE Thailand. Phra Wit, 33, had gone on a pilgrimage into the jungle last Sunday, reported Thai Rath. Two days later he called his mum Khamplew to say he was lost and then on the 7th that he hadn't eaten at all. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Finally a search party of 40 and more locals, police, military and others was formed. Someone managed to contact the monk before his battery went dead and advised him to log onto Google maps so that he could get his location. He was found exhausted some while later. 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

Things go from bad to worse for Yaba suspect - he's caught again now has Covid Picture: Thai Rath It has not been a great week for a Yaba suspect in Kamphaengphet in northern Thailand, despite his best efforts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256238-things-go-from-bad-to-worse-for-yaba-suspect-hes-caught-again-now-has-covid/

Picture: Thai Rath It has not been a great week for a Yaba suspect in Kamphaengphet in northern Thailand, despite his best efforts. On Thursday he fled a police checkpoint in a Revo pick-up but smashed it into a trailer and ended up arrested after crashing off the road. 500,000 Yaba were found in the wreckage. Yesterday police were taking the suspect to Kamphaengphet Hospital for a Covid test. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He managed to escape by shimmying down a drainpipe from the third floor of Building 7. Six hours later - and now even more badly injured from the escape - he was found hiding about 2 kilometers away. Around 100 police using air surveillance were mobilized in the search. Now it was confirmed that the suspect - not named in the Thai Rath article - has Covid. 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

Six arrested in 120 million baht Romance Scam - gang preyed on older women Daily News Caption: Older women targeted Region 3 police have arrested six people for their involvement in a Romance Scam operating over the last four years that has defrauded especially older women of 120 million baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256234-six-arrested-in-120-million-baht-romance-scam-gang-preyed-on-older-women/

Daily News Caption: Older women targeted Region 3 police have arrested six people for their involvement in a Romance Scam operating over the last four years that has defrauded especially older women of 120 million baht. Police said the gang involves Thais and foreign nationals. Arrested this time were six Thais - four men called Suthin, 30, Soronin,39, Arthit,19 and Pongsathorn, 23 and two women Sathaporn, 35 and Saman 40. Romance scams involve people posing as handsome and well connected foreigners online in order to defraud. Picture: Daily News Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This is mainly done by getting victims to pay tax on parcels or presents claimed to be held up at customs. Gang members pose as customs and other officialdom in the scam. Lt-Gen Somprasong Yenthuam, Region 3 chief, said there had been complaints from over 100 women and there were thought to be many more reluctant to come forward. Fraudster Sathaporn said she had no proper job and lived via fraud. She said she learnt the tricks of the Romance Scam while in the company of foreigners in Malaysia. In this operation she claimed to be taking 10% of the profits. Daily News reported that the police action was part of RTP chief Gen Suwat Chyaengyodsuk's plan to crack down on online fraud that is adding to the people's hardship from the pandemic. 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

COVID-19: Thailand reports 98 deaths, 25,298 new coronavirus cases, 22,003 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (April 9) reported 25,298 new COVID-19 cases, 22,003 recoveries and 98 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256229-covid-19-thailand-reports-98-deaths-25298-new-coronavirus-cases-22003-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 98 deaths, 25,298 new coronavirus cases, 22,003 recoveries File photo Thailand on Saturday (April 9) reported 25,298 new COVID-19 cases, 22,003 recoveries and 98 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256229-covid-19-thailand-reports-98-deaths-25298-new-coronavirus-cases-22003-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Saturday (April 9) reported 25,298 new COVID-19 cases, 22,003 recoveries and 98 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,858,346 with 25,975 deaths. Advisor to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Dr. Udom Kachinthorn, claimed yesterday (Friday) that actual daily infections at present may be around 100,000 and this may increase during and after the long Songkran holiday next week, as more people gather together. Official numbers of daily infections, confirmed by RT-PCR tests, have been recorded at more than 20,000 for weeks, but another sizeable group has also tested positive using rapid antigen tests. Dr. Udom’s estimated figure of 100,000 a day takes into account those who have not been tested and is based on the increasing number of patients on ventilators and with lung inflammations, as well as COVID-related deaths.* *Thai PBS contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-09 - Aetna offers a range of avisa-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

Fears growing that Covid may yet derail plans to reopen fully to foreign tourism from July 1st next by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor On Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (right) chaired a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) which deferred a decision on a proposal to replace RT-PCR testing on arrival in Thailand with an antigen test until after the Songkran holiday. It follows gloomy comments by the Prime Minister, earlier this week, in which he warned that the war against COVID-19 was far from won. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256217-fears-growing-that-covid-may-yet-derail-plans-to-reopen-fully-to-foreign-tourism-from-july-1st-next/

On Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (right) chaired a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) which deferred a decision on a proposal to replace RT-PCR testing on arrival in Thailand with an antigen test until after the Songkran holiday. It follows gloomy comments by the Prime Minister, earlier this week, in which he warned that the war against COVID-19 was far from won. He pointed out that the situation could be reversed if everyone involved did not act responsibly and also alluded to a new variation of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The meeting followed proposals from Bhumjaithai Party ministers Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health (left inset) and Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (right inset) to introduce antigen testing for visitors on arrival from May 1st next. After Friday’s meeting, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin (left), emphasised that there was a will to further ease restrictions after the Songkran holiday period. It is now clear, however, that the government is deviating from its four-phase plan outlined earlier this year by the Ministry of Public Health to withdraw all entry restrictions for tourists by July 1st next. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor The news comes with rising foreign tourist arrivals from April reportedly up by 66% this week as the requirement for a pre-departure test and a certificate was abolished, as planned, on April 1st. This was Phase Two of a Four-Phase plan which has been thrown out of kilter by proposals from Bhumjaithai Party ministers this week which emphasised the retention of an antigen test on arrival for visitors after May 1st when all testing was scheduled to be removed. Despite Friday’s postponement, CCSA spokesman, Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, did emphasise that there was a will to further ease restrictions on incoming travellers. The Thai government has been moving away from its full reopening plan for foreign tourism announced at the start of the year with a clear path to end all restrictions by July 1st and a declaration of endemic status. It comes as the economic imperative to boost the foreign tourism industry has never been stronger or more timely with rising prices and declining world trade but also with a potential opportunity with the prospect of a declining baht. On Friday, a decision on an already altered proposal to replace RT-PCR tests on arrival with an antigen test from May 1st was postponed at a meeting of the key COVID-19 emergency coordinating body when the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, requested data relating to infections after the Songkran holiday period in mid-April. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe There are worrying signs for the travel industry that the government is becoming increasingly cautious and wary about the COVID-19 situation following comments by the Thai Prime Minister over the last week suggesting that the current easing of restrictions could easily be reversed and a decision on Friday by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to put off what would have been in itself an aberration from a clear four-phase plan outlined by the Ministry of Public Health, earlier this year, which projected that from May 1st or Phase three of that plan, the country would see all testing removed for incoming vaccinated travellers. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/08/fears-rise-for-free-foreign-tourism-access/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 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

Pattaya Ruamjai team leader “Sinchai” discusses easing bar restrictions with nightlife business owners in Jomtien By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya – The mayoral candidate from the Pattaya Ruamjai team Sinchai discussed legal opening times, sobriety checkpoints, and more yesterday with nightlife business owners in Jomtien. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256216-pattaya-ruamjai-team-leader-“sinchai”-discusses-easing-bar-restrictions-with-nightlife-business-owners-in-jomtien/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya – The mayoral candidate from the Pattaya Ruamjai team Sinchai discussed legal opening times, sobriety checkpoints, and more yesterday with nightlife business owners in Jomtien. On April 7th, Mr. Sinchai Watthanasathon led the Pattaya Ruamjai team to discuss several matters raised by nightlife operators at Lisa’s Guesthouse, Jomtien, Chonburi. One of the operators was Ms. Lamphueng “Lisa” Hamilton, the chairwoman of the entertainment venue operators club who sought a new mayor to be competent in coordinating with the Thai government as well as an extension of the legal opening time to accommodate tourists. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The current legal time for closing alcohol serving venues in Pattaya (and Thailand) is 11:00 P.M. Business owners have been urging the government for months to ease this restriction, however the restriction is technically set by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA in Bangkok. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/08/pattaya-ruamjai-team-leader-sinchai-discusses-easing-bar-restrictions-with-nightlife-business-owners-in-jomtien/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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

Royal Thai Police encourages public to submit clips of traffic violations for 10,000-baht reward under “7 days, 7 clips, 70,000 baht” Songkran campaign By Nop Meechukhun National – The Royal Thai Police introduced the “7 days, 7 clips, 70,000 baht” campaign to encourage the public to record video clips of traffic violators during seven dangerous days of Songkran holidays for a maximum reward of 10,000 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256215-royal-thai-police-encourages-public-to-submit-clips-of-traffic-violations-for-10000-baht-reward-under-“7-days-7-clips-70000-baht”-songkran-campaign/

By Nop Meechukhun National – The Royal Thai Police introduced the “7 days, 7 clips, 70,000 baht” campaign to encourage the public to record video clips of traffic violators during seven dangerous days of Songkran holidays for a maximum reward of 10,000 baht. Police Lieutenant Colonel Damrongsak Kittipraphat the director of the Traffic Management Center said today, April 8th, that the police had collaborated with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation, Viriyah Insurance, FM100 Radio, and FM91 Traffic Pro to launch the campaign with a goal to significantly reduce road accidents and create awareness of safe driving. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The public is encouraged to submit footage from their dash-cam or smartphones capturing drivers, riders, or road users who violated the traffic law that may cause harm to others. Footages of major road accidents that are beneficial for police investigation are also highly encouraged. Full stor: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/08/royal-thai-police-encourages-public-to-submit-clips-of-traffic-violations-for-10000-baht-reward-under-7-days-7-clips-70000-baht-songkran-campaign/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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

Phuket woman to attempt to climb 6,419m Himalayan peak to raise funds for stray animals By Tanakorn Panyadee All the raised funds will go to help street animals. Phuket resident and Soi Dog Foundation staff member Yanisa Kingmala-Beven, will attempt to climb the 6,419-metre peak Mt. Chulu West in the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas this April, to raise money for the animal welfare non-profit. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256214-phuket-woman-to-attempt-to-climb-6419m-himalayan-peak-to-raise-funds-for-stray-animals/

All the raised funds will go to help street animals. By Tanakorn Panyadee Phuket resident and Soi Dog Foundation staff member Yanisa Kingmala-Beven, will attempt to climb the 6,419-metre peak Mt. Chulu West in the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas this April, to raise money for the animal welfare non-profit. Yanisa, 51, a volunteer coordinator at Soi Dog’s Phuket Sanctuary since 2018, hopes to complete the challenge with her husband, Rohun, 65, to promote awareness of the sick, abandoned, and homeless street dogs and cats of Thailand, and help raise vital funds for the charity. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The 21-day trek and challenge to climb a 6,000m Himalayan peak is significant given the extreme altitude and severe risks involved. The summit attempt involves negotiating a dangerously steep and narrow snow-covered ridge, with a drop of thousands of feet on either side.“I am very anxious about the expedition and will try to reach the top if I can”, says Yanisa. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/08/phuket-woman-to-attempt-to-climb-6419m-himalayan-peak-to-raise-funds-for-stray-animals/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 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

Hospitals Put on 24hr Alert for ‘7 Dangerous Days’ by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all provincial public health officials to be on standby during the "7 dangerous days" of Songkran when traffic accidents spike as people return to their hometowns for festivities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256213-hospitals-put-on-24hr-alert-for-‘7-dangerous-days’/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all provincial public health officials to be on standby during the "7 dangerous days" of Songkran when traffic accidents spike as people return to their hometowns for festivities. According to the public health minister, all public hospitals have been instructed to prepare their emergency rooms and stock up on medications in preparation for high trauma patients from April 11 to 17. Each facility has also been told to prepare emergency vehicles to transport patients to nearby hospitals if their beds are fully occupied. Anutin also directed that the Covid-19 vaccine be distributed to provincial hospitals and vaccination units by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). He then urged public health officials to vaccinate people in the so-called "608 groups" before the Songkran festival began, in order to prevent cluster outbreaks at the community level. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The 608 group consists of seniors aged 60 and up, patients aged 12 and up with one of seven chronic diseases, and pregnant women. If contracted Covid-19, people in this group are more likely to develop severe symptoms. Anutin requested that holiday revelers and those celebrating the occasion be fully vaccinated and follow stringent Covid-19 preventative measures at all times in order to avoid another disease outbreak in the country. -- © Copyright NNT 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

Kerry to Deliver Free Covid Medication Boxes to Green Patients by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Covid-19 patients in home isolation can soon expect to receive a "Kerry Care Box" from Kerry Express, as part of the service provider’s effort to help reduce Covid infections in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256212-kerry-to-deliver-free-covid-medication-boxes-to-green-patients/

by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - Covid-19 patients in home isolation can soon expect to receive a "Kerry Care Box" from Kerry Express, as part of the service provider’s effort to help reduce Covid infections in Thailand. According to Kerry Express (Thailand) chief operations officer Warawut Natpradith, asymptomatic Covid patients can apply for the delivery of a "Kerry Care Box" containing items needed for home isolation such as face masks, paracetamol pills, alcohol, green chiretta pill capsules, coughing syrup, and a thermometer. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Asymptomatic Covid patients are those who test positive for Covid-19 but do not exhibit any symptoms. In most cases, these patients will be advised to remain at home until they have recovered completely from the infection. Patients who are interested in the care box can apply at https://bit.ly/3Imvslr from April 7 to 21, 2022. Kerry will begin delivering the boxes on April 11. The public is also advised to visit Kerry Express Thailand’s official Facebook page for more information on the campaign. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 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

TAT signs LOI with THAI and THAI Smile Airways to grow Indian tourist numbers to Thailand Cooperation is aimed at rebuilding and maintaining Thailand’s position as a top destination in the important Indian source market. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Thai Airways International (THAI) and THAI Smile Airways (THAI Smile) to stimulate tourism growth from India, which is one of Thailand’s important source market for visitor arrivals. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256211-tat-signs-loi-with-thai-and-thai-smile-airways-to-grow-indian-tourist-numbers-to-thailand/

Cooperation is aimed at rebuilding and maintaining Thailand’s position as a top destination in the important Indian source market. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Thai Airways International (THAI) and THAI Smile Airways (THAI Smile) to stimulate tourism growth from India, which is one of Thailand’s important source market for visitor arrivals. At today’s signing ceremony held at THAI’s Headquarters in Bangkok witnessed by Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, THAI Acting Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Viset Sontichai, THAI Smile Acting Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Napintorn Srisunpang, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, the agreement was signed between Mr. Nond Kalinta, THAI Chief Commercial Officer and Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific. Mr. Napintorn Srisunpang, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “Following the materialisation of the Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble arrangement and the reopening of commercial flights between India and Thailand, this latest agreement between TAT and THAI and THAI Smile will certainly help accelerate the planned recovery of the Indian market, which is an important source market for visitor arrivals from South Asia to Thailand.” Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, THAI Acting Chief Executive Officer, said the agreement will see THAI and THAI Smile cooperating with TAT on the recovery marketing efforts and joint promotions as well as offering privileges to travellers on over 30 flights a week between India and Thailand on six round-trip routes: Bangkok-New Delhi 14 flights a week (THAI); Bangkok-Mumbai 7 flights a week (THAI); Bangkok-Chennai 7 flights a week (THAI); Bangkok-Bengaluru 7 flights a week (THAI); Bangkok-Kolkata 7 flights a week (THAI Smile) starting 11 April 2022; Bangkok-Phuket-Mumbai 7 flights a week (THAI Smile) starting 10 April 2022. THAI is planning to expand the summer 2022 network with 34 additional routes covering cities in Asia, Australia and Europe, and is also considering increasing the frequency of existing flights in response to the anticipated growth in demand. Passengers on THAI’s international routes will be able to connect domestically within Thailand using THAI Smile’s services. At TAT, this latest agreement with THAI and THAI Smile forms part of the overall recovery marketing efforts in response to the materialisation of the Thai-Indian Air Travel Bubble arrangement since February, in which TAT plans to join hands with airlines to help enhance the image of Thailand as the preferred destination for Indians wanting to travel abroad. Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said, “TAT is moving forward with our pro-active strategy to rebuild and maintain Thailand’s position as a top destination for Indian travellers. Working closely with THAI and THAI Smile, which operate multiple Thailand-India flight routes, is a key factor in our strategy. “In line with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, the focus is on attracting high-spending special interest groups by working with celebrities and influencers to attract weddings and honeymoons, luxury, and millennials.” Mr. Tanes explained ongoing marketing activities in the Indian market through the TAT New Delhi and Mumbai Offices included working closely with the local travel and tourism industry on updating travel advisors and operators on existing and new tourism offerings in Thailand, as well as the safety measures and relaxed entry requirements in place, offering joint promotions and special privileges in conjunction with the THAI and THAI Smile flights, offering joint promotions aimed at the luxury market, and the holding together with airlines of networking sessions in key cities to further promote Thailand’s tourism appeal. To promote Thailand as a wedding and honeymoon destination for the Indian market, TAT is organising an Amazing Thailand Wedding EXPO 2022 this month to boost travellers from the segment. TAT will also head-up Thailand’s presence at India’s largest tourism promotion event – South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 – scheduled for 18-20 May in New Delhi. As efforts by TAT and others to rebuild the Indian market grow, based on the load factor of the current flights operated by THAI and THAI Smile between Thailand and India, it is expected at least 13,000 Indian tourists will visit Thailand per month. This estimate does not include Indian tourists using other airlines. In 2019, a total of 1,995,516 Indians travelled to Thailand generating tourism income of 86,372.01 million Baht. In term of arrivals, this represented a growth of 24.85%, and in income a growth of 27.45%. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/tat-signs-loi-with-thai-and-thai-smile-airways-to-grow-indian-tourist-numbers-to-thailand/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 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

Auspicious License Plates Fetch Nearly B30m BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Department of Land Transport raised nearly 30 million baht when it auctioned off two auspicious license plate numbers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256210-auspicious-license-plates-fetch-nearly-b30m/