webfact

Thailand To Start Charging An Entry Fee From August BY: VINICIUS COSTA Thailand is finally reopening for tourism after two years of consecutive border closures and complex entry restrictions. Even though it is slowly coming out of its shell and allowing more foreigners to visit again, the entry process for Thailand is bound to undergo some permanent changes, as the country intends to start charging an entry fee from August. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258494-thailand-to-start-charging-an-entry-fee-from-august/

BY: VINICIUS COSTA Thailand is finally reopening for tourism after two years of consecutive border closures and complex entry restrictions. Even though it is slowly coming out of its shell and allowing more foreigners to visit again, the entry process for Thailand is bound to undergo some permanent changes, as the country intends to start charging an entry fee from August. Similarly to the Italian hotspot of Venice, which will begin taxing visitors from summer 2022, Thai authorities proposed their own ‘tourist tax’ back in January, in hopes the system would have come into force by April. Due to delays, this never materialized, though it is now likely the fee will be applied from the third quarter of the year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe While there are still some unanswered questions, as the measure is yet to be implemented, and it is far from being unanimous, here is everything we do know so far about Thailand’s proposed new entry fee. Full story: https://www.traveloffpath.com/thailand-to-start-charging-an-entry-fee-from-august/ -- © Copyright Travel OFF Path 2022-05-03 - 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

British martial arts champion fighting for his life after motorbike crash in Thailand Christian Richardson was lucky to survive when his motorbike was crushed by a pick up truck as he left a coffee shop at the start of the country's New Year festival Christian Richardson, 32, has been living in Thailand for nine months and recently won his first Muay Thai bout (Image: Ben Lack) By Mark Branagan & Graeme Murray, News Reporter A British martial arts champion is fighting for his life after a crash in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258493-british-martial-arts-champion-fighting-for-his-life-after-motorbike-crash-in-thailand/

Christian Richardson, 32, has been living in Thailand for nine months and recently won his first Muay Thai bout (Image: Ben Lack) Christian Richardson was lucky to survive when his motorbike was crushed by a pick up truck as he left a coffee shop at the start of the country's New Year festival By Mark Branagan & Graeme Murray, News Reporter A British martial arts champion is fighting for his life after a crash in Thailand. Top boxer Christian Richardson, 32, from York, was lucky to survive when his motorbike was crushed by a pick up truck as he left a coffee shop on April 13, the start of the country's New Year festival. Chris, who has been living in Thailand for nine months and recently won his first Muay Thai bout, suffered multiple injuries and broken bones. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He was given emergency treatment at a hospital in Koh Samui, before being airlifted to Bangkok where he is currently undergoing further surgery. In York, he had worked as picture framer for the family business, Gillygate Framing. His sister, Emmy Watson, said: “Miraculously, he didn’t die or have any brain or spinal injuries.” Her brother is unable to get out of bed and is fighting a bad infection in his foot where he has a large open wound. In the next few days, he is going to need both facial and eye surgery to repair a broken cheek bone and a bad orbital floor fracture. Chris' family has launched a bid to raise £60,000 for his treatment (Image: Ben Lack) As Chris was involved in the accident abroad, the treatment is costing him and his family thousands of pounds. The family has launched a bid to raise £60,000 for the treatment, and to get him home to the UK. Full story: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/british-martial-arts-champion-fighting-26838936 -- © Copyright Mirror 2022-05-03 - 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

Rescuers search for child feared drowned at Suan Son Beach By Online Reporter Rescue workers were continuing their search for a 14-year-old boy who went missing while swimming at Suan Son Beach in Nong Khae on Monday (May 2). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258492-rescuers-search-for-child-feared-drowned-at-suan-son-beach/

By Online Reporter Rescue workers were continuing their search for a 14-year-old boy who went missing while swimming at Suan Son Beach in Nong Khae on Monday (May 2). Rescue workers from the Sawang Hua Hin Thammasat Foundation, along with a team of specialist divers, officers from Hua Hin Tourist Police and soldiers who were drafted in from Lopburi province took part in the search operation which began at around 2pm on Monday afternoon. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A woman at the scene who said she was the boy’s aunt told police that their family of eight people had traveled to Hua Hin from Samut Sakhon province for the long holiday weekend. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/rescuers-search-for-child-feared-drowned-at-suan-son-beach/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-05-03 - 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

PM Prayut pleased with declining Covid-19 daily infections in Thailand, urges public to continue to keep their guard up By Nop Meechukhun National – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha was satisfied with the significant decrease in daily Covid-19 infections in Thailand, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana revealed yesterday, May 2nd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258491-pm-prayut-pleased-with-declining-covid-19-daily-infections-in-thailand-urges-public-to-continue-to-keep-their-guard-up/

By Nop Meechukhun National – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha was satisfied with the significant decrease in daily Covid-19 infections in Thailand, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana revealed yesterday, May 2nd. The spokesperson told the Associated Press that the Prime Minister saw the decrease as a good sign in controlling the domestic spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The infections began to steadily decline after the Songkran holiday but the Prime Minister continued to urge all departments and the public to keep their guard up and protect themselves to gradually reduce the number of new infections. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/05/02/thai-prime-minister-prayut-pleased-with-declining-covid-19-daily-infections-in-thailand-urges-public-to-continue-to-keep-their-guard-up/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-05-03 - 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

8 –year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy bitten by an unknown sea animal near Kamala Beach in Phuket, experts and officials dispute what the animal was By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket – A French shark expert believes that a blue shark might have bitten an 8-year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy’s leg near Kamala Beach, Phuket yesterday (May 1st). Meanwhile, beach operators and local officials believe that it was not a shark but a barracuda. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258489-8-–year-old-ukrainian-thai-boy-bitten-by-an-unknown-sea-animal-near-kamala-beach-in-phuket-experts-and-officials-dispute-what-the-animal-was/

By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket – A French shark expert believes that a blue shark might have bitten an 8-year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy’s leg near Kamala Beach, Phuket yesterday (May 1st). Meanwhile, beach operators and local officials believe that it was not a shark but a barracuda. Kamala rescue workers were notified that a young boy, whose name was withheld per editorial policy for minors, had been injured by an unknown marine animal yesterday afternoon. Rescue workers arrived at the Kamala Beach to find the 8 year-old Ukrainian-Thai boy lying bleeding and in pain on the beach. Many deep-cut wounds were found on his right leg. He was rushed to the Bangkok Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. David Martin, a French national who is an underwater photographer and a shark expert from the ‘Ocean For All Foundation’ in Phuket, gave his opinion to The Phuket Express this morning (May 2nd), “From my experiences of diving and taking photos of underwater life around the world for many years, the wounds on the boy’s leg might be from a baby ‘Blue Shark’. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/02/8-year-old-american-thai-boy-bitten-by-an-unknown-sea-animal-near-kamala-beach-in-phuket-experts-and-officials-dispute-what-the-animal-was/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-03 - 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

Mixed messages… record profits or price shocks in Thailand ANALYSIS | by Michael Bridge file photo OK, we know the combination of the pandemic, lack of tourists, and now the current crisis in Ukraine has not been welcome news for Thailand, or for that matter most of Asia. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258488-mixed-messages…-record-profits-or-price-shocks-in-thailand/

file photo ANALYSIS | by Michael Bridge OK, we know the combination of the pandemic, lack of tourists, and now the current crisis in Ukraine has not been welcome news for Thailand, or for that matter most of Asia. That said I was very puzzled to pick up the local paper to read that Toyota’s annual sales hit the second-highest profit level on record. Surely with all that’s been going on around the world and having to deal with the lack of semiconductors, this must be fiction. Not so, as on the same page, German automaker Mercedes Benz AG said that due to higher sales prices, it had made a US$3.6 billion profit in Q1 up by 3%. Even PepsiCo revenues rose by 9.3% to US$16.2 billion also in the first quarter. As Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th some may say Q1 was almost over, however, these figures are impressive especially as the pandemic was still evident in most regions at the time. Doom and gloom Then turning the page, I was hit by a very different headline, “World Bank says price shocks to last at least three years.” In its first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the war on commodity markets, the World Bank said the world faces the biggest commodity price shock since the 1970s. It is being aggravated by restrictions on food, fuel, and fertilizer trade. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe I could go on, but it made me think what a crazy world we have when one side is reporting good news, while the others are predicting doom and gloom. Hopefully, sense will prevail, and a ceasefire may be negotiated, but who can trust Putin to keep his word. So, whether the World enters into a global conflict, the crisis is likely to go on for some time, and will Toyota or Pepsi still make big profits? I am sure some companies will most likely actually do even better through Putin’s madness. So, who actually benefited the most from WWII? The United States benefited the most from WWII as it had a large population, technological prowess, and the capital necessary to change WWII machinations into business and industry that benefited the civilian. Europe saw great growth post-WWII; it just happened slower than it did in the United States and Japan. Of course, despite the decline in general military spending in recent years, the business of war is now showing signs of major sales and profits again. file photo Back in 2012 the one hundred largest arms producers and military services contractors recorded $395 billion in arms sales, with America’s Lockheed Martin, being the largest arms seller. Certainly, arms suppliers are likely to see record profits as most countries will now try to upgrade their own strike forces, in view of Russian threats. Of course, it is a long way from selling black market booze or silk stockings, but there will always be someone making a healthy profit somewhere out of a war. I have to admit personally that reading the paper is becoming very confusing these days, so maybe I would be better off sticking to the sports pages. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-03 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Tuesday 3 May 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1258487-thailand-live-tuesday-3-may-2022/

Thailand’s COVID-19 wards being phased out as COVID admissions fall Credit: Thammasat University Field Hospital for COVID-19 Facebook Page A number of Thai hospitals are phasing out their COVID-19 specific wards, as the number of COVID-19 admissions steadily declines, said Director-General of the Medical Services Department Dr. Somsak Akksilp, today (Monday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258457-thailand’s-covid-19-wards-being-phased-out-as-covid-admissions-fall/

COVID Insurance Accounted for Most Consumer Complaints in Q1 BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) has reported that COVID-19 insurance saw the highest number of consumer complaints in the first quarter of this year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258473-covid-insurance-accounted-for-most-consumer-complaints-in-q1/

Anti tobacco group throws its weight behind banning electronic cigarettes Picture" Naew Na The head of the National Alliance for Tobacco Free Thailand has said they have written to the Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and all the members of his cabinet urging them to maintain Thailand's ban on electronic cigarettes. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258446-anti-tobacco-group-throws-its-weight-behind-banning-electronic-cigarettes/

Picture" Naew Na The head of the National Alliance for Tobacco Free Thailand has said they have written to the Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and all the members of his cabinet urging them to maintain Thailand's ban on electronic cigarettes. Dr Somsri Paosawat said the letters were sent last week. This came after the digital economy and society minister proposed legalizing e-cigarettes. While many say that vaping can help people quit regular cigarettes Dr Somsri is of the opinion that they are especially harmful for youth and children. Naew Na reported that the World Health Organization said that 32 countries, including Thailand, ban the devices. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Dr Somsri praised health minister and DPM Anutin Charvirakul for his opposition to vaping saying they were just cigarettes in another form. She wants the import and distribution to remain illegal. Heavy penalties exist for the import and distribution of the devices, notes ASEAN NOW. Though they are widely available in Thailand's markets with users facing little or no sanction despite occasional crackdowns on vendors. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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

Video: Cutting out the victim - two survive horror smash in Cha-Am after lamppost cut in two Picture: 77kaoded Cha-Am police and rescue services were called to the Jomphol Road near the Huay Sai zoo after a Honda City slammed into a roadside lamppost snapping it in two. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258444-video-cutting-out-the-victim-two-survive-horror-smash-in-cha-am-after-lamppost-cut-in-two/

Picture: 77kaoded Cha-Am police and rescue services were called to the Jomphol Road near the Huay Sai zoo after a Honda City slammed into a roadside lamppost snapping it in two. The driver had to be cut out. Also injured was a 17 year old female passenger. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A rescue worker could be heard to say that it was surprising they survived in a video of the rescue published by 77kaoded. What the Thais call "lap nai" or microsleep is being blamed for the single vehicle accident that happened around 2 am this morning. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-30 - 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

The boot's on the other foot for Thai tourists - Cambodians want 7,000 baht for an ATK test Picture: 77kaoded After the best part of a year charging foreign tourists for Covid tests the boot is now on the other foot for Thai tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258442-the-boots-on-the-other-foot-for-thai-tourists-cambodians-want-7000-baht-for-an-atk-test/

Picture: 77kaoded After the best part of a year charging foreign tourists for Covid tests the boot is now on the other foot for Thai tourists. Authorities in Cambodia are charging 7,000 baht for an ATK test that can be bought in Thailand at a 7-Eleven for a fraction of that. 77kaoded were at the Klong Luk border crossing in Aranyaprathet - gateway to Poi Pet. It was the first day of the reopening of Thailand, May 1st. Picture: 77kaoded About 30 Cambodians were coming across an hour. But few Thais were bothering to go to Cambodia because there were so many restrictions on coming back! They would have to get a Thailand Pass and that would take 2-3 days so day tripping was out. Those few souls crossing were going to see relatives or going for work. A few tourists were going but they would be staying a while. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Then the media spoke to one person who was coming back after an aborted trip to the Cambodian side. They had been told that because they had had only one jab they would have to take an ATK test. And the Cambodians wanted $200 dollars or around 7,000 baht for that. They didn't have the cash. They asked if they could get the test from a Thai convenience store for 50-100 baht. They were told that was not possible - they had to pay or go back to Thailand. They went back. Thirty one border crossings in 17 provinces were finally reopened yesterday after being shut for 2 years because of the pandemic. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-05-02 - 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 AA8.mp4

Norwegian expat falls unconscious from smoke inhalation, beloved dog dies after house fire in Phuket By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket – A Norwegian ex-pat fell unconscious while his beloved dog died after his house caught fire in Wichit, Mueang Phuket district early this morning (May 2nd) which also alarmed nearby residents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258441-norwegian-expat-falls-unconscious-from-smoke-inhalation-beloved-dog-dies-after-house-fire-in-phuket/

By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket – A Norwegian ex-pat fell unconscious while his beloved dog died after his house caught fire in Wichit, Mueang Phuket district early this morning (May 2nd) which also alarmed nearby residents. Firefighters were notified of the fire at 4:30 A.M. at a house in a housing estate in the Wichit sub-district. Fighters with multiple fire engines and the Wichit Police arrived at the scene to find lots of smoke but no visible flames. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A 76-year-old Norwegian expat (The Phuket Express is withholding his name) was found unconscious inside the master bedroom. He was alone in the house and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/05/02/norwegian-expat-falls-unconscious-from-smoke-inhalation-beloved-dog-dies-after-house-fire-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2022-05-02 - 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

Australian tourist files police report after a Phuket taxi driver allegedly touched his 15-year-old daughter’s leg inappropriately By Goong Nang(GN) Phuket - An Australian tourist filed a report to police after a Phuket taxi driver allegedly touched his daughter’s leg inappropriately inside a taxi at a parking area in a shopping mall in the Mueang Phuket District over the past weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258440-australian-tourist-files-police-report-after-a-phuket-taxi-driver-allegedly-touched-his-15-year-old-daughter’s-leg-inappropriately/