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Walking Street returns! Police chief expects more tourists in Pattaya now that PM opens country Picture: INN INN reported that Pol Lt-Col Arut Saphanon - the cop in charge of Pattaya's traffic - went to Walking Street yesterday to reorganise the area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258304-walking-street-returns-police-chief-expects-more-tourists-in-pattaya-now-that-pm-opens-country/

Picture: INN INN reported that Pol Lt-Col Arut Saphanon - the cop in charge of Pattaya's traffic - went to Walking Street yesterday to reorganise the area. This came after the authorities reversed the decision to stop vehicles using the famed street. Walking Street is now back to pedestrians only after the pandemic saw few tourists and many businesses shut. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The media said that PM Prayuth Chan-ocha had now ordered the reopening of Thailand on May 1st and the scrapping of the Test and Go scheme. Arut said that Pattaya's chief of police Pol Col Kulachart Kulachai expects the move to result in more tourists at the resort. He found that 90% of tourists and businesses were complying and carried out PR to advise the others about the change in Walking Street's status. In addition he has arranged for a new place for motorcycle taxis in the area to park. -- © 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

Thailand’s latest entry requirements from 1 May 2022 Two new entry schemes specifically customised for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. TAT Newsroom This information has been updated on 30 April, 2022. The following rules will be in effect from 1 May, 2022, with specific requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers from all countries/territories with scheduled arrivals from this date. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258303-thailand’s-latest-entry-requirements-from-1-may-2022/

Two new entry schemes specifically customised for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. TAT Newsroom This information has been updated on 30 April, 2022. The following rules will be in effect from 1 May, 2022, with specific requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers from all countries/territories with scheduled arrivals from this date. Pre-arrival requirements Vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: A valid passport, and a Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/), or a Border Pass for arrivals via border checkpoints. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$10,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Travellers 5-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement. Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of COVID-19 recovery. Unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: A valid passport, and a Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/), or a Border Pass for arrivals via border checkpoints. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$10,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement. A proof of prepayment for 5-night quarantine at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotel, or AQ Accommodation/s, plus a proof of prepayment for 1 RT-PCR COVID-19 test. Thais are not required to prepay for the test. The quarantine is exempt for unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system. The exemption also extends to travellers under 6 years of age travelling with parents. On Arrival Requirements Upon arriving in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks. The vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom. *For arrivals by land using a border pass, they will be allowed a stay of no longer than 3 days within the specified areas only. Likewise, unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who have uploaded proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom. Otherwise, unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers must proceed to undergo the quarantine for 5 days. The trip to the prebooked accommodation must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route within a travelling time of no longer than 5 hours. Then, they must undergo an RT-PCR test on Day 4-5. Travellers under 5 years of age, travelling with parents and undergo the quarantine together, can have a saliva test. Travellers whose test result returns as negative will be allowed to go anywhere in the kingdom, while those whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment and the expenses must be covered by the required insurance / own expense for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates. During the Stay While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment. We wish all visitors an enjoyable, safe, and rewarding holiday in Thailand during this exciting time in which we are able again to welcome travellers from around the world. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/thailands-latest-entry-requirements-from-1-may-2022/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 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

Thailand Cuts 2022 GDP Outlook Over Russia-Ukraine War by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has reduced its 2022 economic growth forecast to 3.5% from a previous forecast of 4.0%, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global growth and inflation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258302-thailand-cuts-2022-gdp-outlook-over-russia-ukraine-war/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has reduced its 2022 economic growth forecast to 3.5% from a previous forecast of 4.0%, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global growth and inflation. Pornchai Theeravet, head of the fiscal policy office under the Ministry of Finance, nevertheless told a news conference that the Thai economy will still be supported by higher domestic spending and a recovery in tourism, as well as exports. Pornchai said, "The economy is still growing, accelerating from last year’s 1.6% growth, but there remain risk factors." He added that the ministry is prepared to take fiscal and monetary measures to ensure continued and broad-based economic recovery." Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ministry now expects exports - a key driver of Thai growth - to rise 6.0% this year, up from the 3.6% previously projected. The tourism-dependent country is on track to receive 6.1 million foreign visitors this year, but below the 7 million projected earlier due partly to the impact of China’s travel restrictions and the Ukraine conflict on Russian tourist numbers. Predicted tourist numbers would be far short of the nearly 40 million visitors during 2019, but a substantial improvement on the 428,000 foreign tourist arrivals in 2021. The tourism industry generally accounts for about 12% of gross domestic product. -- © Copyright NNT 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

Toyota’s Thai Unit Agrees to Boost EV Incentives by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai unit of Toyota Motor Corp has signed an agreement with Thailand on incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the major regional auto production base. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258300-toyota’s-thai-unit-agrees-to-boost-ev-incentives/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai unit of Toyota Motor Corp has signed an agreement with Thailand on incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the major regional auto production base. According to the Ministry of Finance, the incentives include tax breaks and subsidies to help make EVs cheaper. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said after the signing that the deal with Thailand’s largest car producer will be "a leap" for the use of EVs in the nation, as consumers were waiting for major carmakers to join the scheme. Noriaki Yamashita, president of Toyota Motor Thailand which commands about a third of the Thai vehicle market, said Toyota is considering launching its bZ4X EV model in Thailand later this year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ministry said a similar agreement has also been signed with Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor and with SAIC-CP Motor, the Thai unit of SAIC Motor Corp. It added that at least five more automakers are expected to join the EV support scheme this year. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says there are about 260,000 EVs currently registered in Thailand and the finance ministry expects about 20,000 units to be sold this year - just a fraction of total cars on the streets. Arkhom said Thailand will continue to introduce measures to support EVs to maintain its status as Southeast Asia’s biggest and the world’s 11th largest auto production base. The government is targeting the production of 725,000 EV units a year, or 30% of the output by 2030. -- © Copyright NNT 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

Brake failure! Five vehicle pile up on Bang Na - Trat but at least one woman was wearing a seatbelt Picture: Siam Rath A six wheel truck driver said that he experienced break failure that caused a five vehicle pile-up around 1 pm on the center section of the Bang Na - Trat highway by a U-turn. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258299-brake-failure-five-vehicle-pile-up-on-bang-na-trat-but-at-least-one-woman-was-wearing-a-seatbelt/

Picture: Siam Rath A six wheel truck driver said that he experienced break failure that caused a five vehicle pile-up around 1 pm on the center section of the Bang Na - Trat highway by a U-turn. Santi, aged about 35-40, told Siam Rath that he was going to make a U-turn and was approaching other vehicles lined up preparing to do the same. Picture: Siam Rath Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He said he put his foot on the brake but they it didn't respond. He decided to veer left to avoid a collision but was unable to complete the move due to other traffic. He ended up trapped in his cab with leg injuries that needed a trip to Bang Plee hospital. A pick-up and three other cars were damaged. Picture: Siam Rath A lady called Sabaiphae said she was on the way to take her son to get vaccinated in Bang Na. She ended up being sandwiched between other vehicles in her black car. She said that she was wearing her seatbelt and thanked that for not being thrown into the steering wheel or console. Bang Plee police are conducting the inquiry. -- © 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 Picture: Siam Rath

Pattaya: Fourteen foreigners and two Thais arrested at "ketamine party" Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that 16 people were arrested at business premises in Pattaya being used for a drugs' party. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258297-pattaya-fourteen-foreigners-and-two-thais-arrested-at-ketamine-party/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that 16 people were arrested at business premises in Pattaya being used for a drugs' party. Immigration, a police unit involved in international crime and Muang police were all involved in the bust in Nong Prue. A gaudy, bright area had been converted into a party place where the foreigners and Thais were dancing to music. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Arrested were eight Chinese nationals, five men and three women, six people from Myanmar, five men and a woman and two Thai women. Many bags of ketamine were found along with trays for sharing out the drug and drug taking equipment. They were all taken away for questioning and drugs' tests at 4.30 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 Picture: Daily News

Surin: Motorcyclist killed after neck becomes entangled in "hanging wires" Daily News Thai Caption: Strangled to death (by hanging wires) Thailand's infamous hanging wires are in the news again after a motorcyclist was killed, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258295-surin-motorcyclist-killed-after-neck-becomes-entangled-in-hanging-wires/

Daily News Thai Caption: Strangled to death (by hanging wires) Thailand's infamous hanging wires are in the news again after a motorcyclist was killed, reported Daily News. Bunkert, 40, was riding home along Route 2077 after doing some evening shopping on Thursday. He came off his bike outside Lamduan Hospital. Wires were wrapped around his head and hands. He was unconscious with a severe head injury that led to his death on Friday after he had been in ICU. Picture: Daily News His wife Pornthira, 42, said this was a busy road with many motorists. She called on those responsible for the wires to own up. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Locals in the area said that many of the bundles of wires were just precariously hanging waiting for the wind to blow them down. Lamduan police are investigating to find out who is responsible for the wires that killed Bunkert. -- © 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

Bangkok police arrest taxi driver who robbed French tourist Picture: Sanook Sanook report that the Thong Lo police had arrested a Bangkok taxi driver who robbed a French tourist in Sukhumvit Soi 22 last Saturday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258294-bangkok-police-arrest-taxi-driver-who-robbed-french-tourist/

Picture: Sanook Sanook report that the Thong Lo police had arrested a Bangkok taxi driver who robbed a French tourist in Sukhumvit Soi 22 last Saturday night. Manuel B., a 32 year old French IT specialist, had gone to the police after he had passed out drunk in front of the Lawson 108 store. A gold necklace and a Lacoste chest bag containing a green iPhone 11 Pro, cash, passport and other documents all worth 54,200 had gone missing. CCTV confirmed he had been robbed by a taxi driver in a Bangkok cab. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Police arrested 49 year old Torsak outside a hotel in northern Klong Toei, a similar area to the theft. The bag was recovered and the iPhone was found at a second hand dealer in Huay Khwang. Torsak claimed that he had intended to help the man but when he saw his possessions he couldn't resist the temptation. He needed money for his everyday expenses. The Thong Lo police discovered that Torsak had convictions for Class 1 drug possession in 2012 and 2015. He has been charged with theft at night using a conveyance. -- © 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

American tourist rescued after getting lost in the Thalang jungle in Phuket By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang, Phuket – An American tourist, 68-years-old, has been rescued after getting lost in a jungle in the Thalang district yesterday afternoon (April 29th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258291-american-tourist-rescued-after-getting-lost-in-the-thalang-jungle-in-phuket/

By Goong Nang(GN) Thalang, Phuket – An American tourist, 68-years-old, has been rescued after getting lost in a jungle in the Thalang district yesterday afternoon (April 29th). The Phuket Tourist Police was notified of the incident by the male American tourist via an emergency phone call at 3:20 P.M. yesterday afternoon. He sent his latest position to the Phuket Tourist Police via mobile phone. He was lost in a hilly jungle in the Baan Nai Thorn area in the Sakoo sub-district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Phuket Tourist Police contacted officers at a national park nearby and locals who know the area well. They went into the jungle along a nature trail on a hill. Police searched for the American tourist using GPS (Global Positioning System). Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2022/04/30/american-tourist-rescued-after-getting-lost-in-the-thalang-jungle-in-phuket/ -- © Copyright The Phuket Express 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

Israeli tourist found safe and unhurt after going missing on southern Thailand nature trail Picture: Siam Rath A missing Israeli tourist has been found alive and well after going missing in the south of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258290-israeli-tourist-found-safe-and-unhurt-after-going-missing-on-southern-thailand-nature-trail/

Picture: Siam Rath A missing Israeli tourist has been found alive and well after going missing in the south of Thailand. Mr Daniel, 33, had gone walking on a nature trail in the Khao Sok national park in Surat Thani at 3pm Thursday but had not returned to his room in the park by nightfall. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe A search party was organised but it was called off at 3 am and regrouped in the light of Friday morning. The tourist was found by park officials at the Bang Hua Raet waterfall around 9.15 am and he was fine. Siam Rath had no further details. -- © 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

Thai wife pays 500K for Denmark husband's murder - they make it look like an accident but he survives Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a 48 year old Thai wife arranged to have her 63 year old Danish husband murdered in Thailand for 500,000 baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258289-thai-wife-pays-500k-for-denmark-husbands-murder-they-make-it-look-like-an-accident-but-he-survives/

Picture: Daily News Daily News reported that a 48 year old Thai wife arranged to have her 63 year old Danish husband murdered in Thailand for 500,000 baht. Via an older friend it was arranged that a relative would drive into the foreigner as he rode his motorcycle by a field. But despite a serious collision that left a hole in a windshield - a picture in Thai Rath was published - Mr. Larsen survived with serious injuries. Picture: Thai Rath The plot to get 10 million baht in life insurance soon unravelled and three people are in custody. Mr Larsen remains in Srisawan Hospital in the central/northern province of Nakhon Sawan. Yesterday Pol Maj-Gen Attasit Sutsanguan, Region 6 deputy, gave details of the case. Now in custody after warrants were issued on charges of arranging murder are Mr Larsen's wife Pratheep Fang Larsen, 48, and Jemjan Khamkaew, 60. On Thursday of last week, 21st April, the small sub-police station of Nong Krot received a report of a collision between a car and a motorcycle in Beung Pla Thu sub-district of Ban Photphisai district. A grey Toyota with Lampang plates had collided with the bike ridden by Mr Larsen propelling him into a field. Driving the Toyota was Ekkasit Wichajan, 24. Ekkasit claimed it was an accident and it appeared that way at first, said Attasit. But soon there appeared inconsistencies and it became obvious this had been deliberate and was a staged accident. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Under intense interrogation Ekkasit broke down and admitted that he was hired by his relative Jemjan to kill Mr Larsen but failed. It emerged that Pratheep Larsen had paid her friend 500,000 baht to arrange her husband's death so she could claim 10 million baht in life insurance. The Larsen's have two children and had been living in Denmark for many years. But they came back to Thailand and couldn't return because of the pandemic. They had purchased tens of rai of land for 20 million baht but a dispute arose. The wife wanted a divorce but the husband opposed this. They could not get back to Denmark because of the pandemic. It was also reported that ten years ago Jemjan was charged with organising someone's murder but was acquitted. Ekkasit was promised a new car for killing Mr Larsen but after he failed he was given just 10,000 baht for his trouble. All three are now in custody as Mr Larsen recovers in hospital. -- © 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

COVID-19 - April 30: Thailand reports 12,888 new coronavirus cases, 17,105 recoveries, 126 deaths Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258283-covid-19-april-30-thailand-reports-12888-new-coronavirus-cases-17105-recoveries-126-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19 - April 30: Thailand reports 12,888 new coronavirus cases, 17,105 recoveries, 126 deaths Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258283-covid-19-april-30-thailand-reports-12888-new-coronavirus-cases-17105-recoveries-126-deaths/

Thailand on Saturday (April 30) reported 12,888 new COVID-19 cases, 17,105 recoveries and 126 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 4,250,949 with 28,526 deaths. The news comes as Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob inspected Suvarnabhumi airport to check its readiness before the government eases arrival rules on May 1. He said six airports under the supervision of Airports of Thailand PCL were readied and the Transport Ministry already prepared its officials to implement the new rules. From May 1 onwards, fully vaccinated people and those with negative results from their RT-PCR tests conducted within 72 hours before arrival can enter the country under normal procedures.** **THAI NEWS AGENCY contributed to this report Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © 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