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RTP promise strict action on DUI at Songkran - roadside checks at accidents start Monday OPINION File photo Every year the Royal Thai Police say they are getting tough on road traffic offences at Songkran. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255371-rtp-promise-strict-action-on-dui-at-songkran-roadside-checks-at-accidents-start-monday/

File photo OPINION Every year the Royal Thai Police say they are getting tough on road traffic offences at Songkran. Every year the messages come down from the politicians to do something. Every year they promise that this will be the last year of Thais disregarding the DUI laws. Every year they have a new gimmick, a new target tweaked to help with getting a better percentage. Every year they concoct some post-Songkran improvement. Some reason not to lose face. Every year they then go back to doing what they did before the holidays. But every year the figures speak for themselves - they are, along with ignoring road traffic issues for most of the rest of the 50 weeks of the year, a national disgrace. File photo So what is the difference this year with the latest pronouncement published from the RTP by Thai Rath yesterday. Nothing. The headlines say "this year we mean it". "This year we intend to get it fixed". "This year the people will see the difference". "This year beware - the RTP mean business". Oh yes we do! In order to achieve traffic flow on a a macro scale they have that gimmick - two in fact in the guise of what the RTP rather loosely call their masterplans. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Masterplan 1 is utilizing reversible lanes. In this scheme 217 kms of roads across ten provinces will see the road direction changed at whim. Masterplan 2 is banning ten wheel trucks and bigger from some routes in seven provinces on certain days. Top policemen have consulted for days, maybe even weeks, to come up with those.But it's not all. What about the DUI crackdown? Yes, this is serious this year. Very serious. So serious in fact that everyone involved in an accident from next Monday will be tested for alcohol. This will continue throughout the traditional Thai New Year. Also there will be a crackdown on youth drinking. Underage children who have got drunk will see vendors who sold them liquour prosecuted. And parents will face sanction under child laws. Things are expected to get going from the 8th with the busiest times 12th and 13th April. Also 13th-15th are public holidays. 6.7 million people are expected to leave and enter the Thai capital Bangkok. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-01 - 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

Liverpool, Manchester United confirm Bangkok friendly match, tickets on sale April 2 By Jonathan Fairfield Image: Liverpool FC Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United have now confirmed they will play a pre-season friendly match in Bangkok in July. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255368-liverpool-manchester-united-confirm-bangkok-friendly-match-tickets-on-sale-april-2/

Image: Liverpool FC By Jonathan Fairfield Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United have now confirmed they will play a pre-season friendly match in Bangkok in July. The Old Trafford club will meet Jurgen Klopp’s side in the ‘THE MATCH Bangkok Century Cup 2022’ which will be played at the Rajamangala Stadium on July 12. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The holding of the match was confirmed at a press conference held at Siam Paragon on Mar 31, which was attended by former players Andrew Cole and Phil Babb. Both teams are expected to bring full strength squads to play in the match. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/liverpool-manchester-united-confirm-bangkok-friendly-match-tickets-on-sale-april-2/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-01 - 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

Hua Hin Police announce ‘no gift policy’ By Online Reporter File photo Hua Hin Police have announced a ‘no gift policy’ in a bid to boost transparency and prevent potential conflicts of interest. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255366-hua-hin-police-announce-‘no-gift-policy’/

File photo By Online Reporter Hua Hin Police have announced a ‘no gift policy’ in a bid to boost transparency and prevent potential conflicts of interest. The announcement, made in Thai and English and posted on the Hua Hin Police Station Facebook page, is dated February 9th 2022 and is signed by Police colonel Hongprom Wisithchanachai, Superintendent Hua Hin Police Station. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ‘no gift policy’ is in line with Thailand’s National Reform Plan on Anti-Corruption and Misconduct which states government and public sector officials should not accept any form of gifts while performing their duties. The announcement reads: “…We would like to announce the intention of Superintendent Hua Hin Police Station and all police officers to not accept any kind of gifts while performing duties”. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/hua-hin-police-announce-no-gift-policy/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-01 - 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

Channel 5 TV rumpus shows Thailand feels the heat in an altered world after the Ukrainian war by James Morris and Son Nguyen The outgoing boss of Thailand’s military-owned Channel 5 TV, who is to be replaced on April 7th after matters relating to coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine reached boiling point on Monday last when a key news TV show was pulled off the air at the station. It is understood that General Rangsee Kitiyanasap (centre) made efforts to balance coverage of the war by opening channels of communication with both the Russian and Ukrainian missions in Thailand to keep faith with the government’s stated position of neutrality in the war even though Thailand, at a UN General Assembly meeting on March 2nd last, called on Russia to withdraw ‘unconditionally’ from Ukraine and to cease its military operations in its neighbouring country. This week, General Rangsee insisted that he had decided to resign from his position while Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (inset right) denied any involvement in the affair but did emphasise the Thai government’s neutrality concerning the ongoing conflict. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255365-channel-5-tv-rumpus-shows-thailand-feels-the-heat-in-an-altered-world-after-the-ukrainian-war/

The outgoing boss of Thailand’s military-owned Channel 5 TV, who is to be replaced on April 7th after matters relating to coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine reached boiling point on Monday last when a key news TV show was pulled off the air at the station. It is understood that General Rangsee Kitiyanasap (centre) made efforts to balance coverage of the war by opening channels of communication with both the Russian and Ukrainian missions in Thailand to keep faith with the government’s stated position of neutrality in the war even though Thailand, at a UN General Assembly meeting on March 2nd last, called on Russia to withdraw ‘unconditionally’ from Ukraine and to cease its military operations in its neighbouring country. This week, General Rangsee insisted that he had decided to resign from his position while Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (inset right) denied any involvement in the affair but did emphasise the Thai government’s neutrality concerning the ongoing conflict. by James Morris and Son Nguyen The Ukraine war and the unprecedented resolve of western countries to sanction Russia even while sacrificing their individual economic interests, make it crystal clear that the western world has changed. A terrifying new prospect has now emerged for countries, particularly in Asia, that have operated at a democratic deficit or based on ‘realpolitik’ in the cosy world of diplomatic accommodations. They are now faced with a united and overwhelming resolve in the West, driven by younger and more idealistic voters, to do what is right at all costs. This has deep implications for Thailand first and foremost in terms of inward economic investment and also increasingly, at a geopolitical level, as tensions between the West and communist China continue to rise. The controversial replacement of the Director of a Thai national TV station this week exposes rising tensions at the heart of the establishment linked to the kingdom’s position in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an event that is now dominating the country’s immediate economic future and threatens to have further repercussions as geopolitical tensions worldwide and most particularly in Asia, have shifted significantly due to the outcome of the war meaning it may now no longer be possible to practice the art of realpolitik and detente in a world that is increasingly divided between democratic powers supporting human rights and those which are more autocratic. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The tension in Thailand and rift over the kingdom’s position concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th broke through onto the country’s TV waves on Monday at midday when a news programme reporting on the country’s military-owned Channel 5 TV as it detailed the latest news on the conflict in Europe was abruptly shut down during the main midday news presentation. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/31/channel-5-rumpus-shows-thailand-under-pressure-russia-ukraine-war/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-01 - 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

Fire guts restaurant before spreading to rice shop in Chonburi today By Tanakorn Panyadee Chonburi – A fire gutted a Thai restaurant before spreading to an adjoining rice shop in Chonburi today. The restaurant owner pays 100,000 baht in compensation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255364-fire-guts-restaurant-before-spreading-to-rice-shop-in-chonburi-today/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Chonburi – A fire gutted a Thai restaurant before spreading to an adjoining rice shop in Chonburi today. The restaurant owner pays 100,000 baht in compensation. Today, Pol Col Uthai Abmalee was notified of a fire at a Thai restaurant located in the Huai Kapi sub-district, Mueang district, Chonburi. Upon arrival, one fire truck from the Huai Kapi station was at the scene and trying to extinguish the fire on a Thai restaurant that had spread to an adjoining rice shop. It took an hour to put out the fire. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/31/fire-guts-restaurant-before-spreading-to-rice-shop-in-chonburi-today/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-01 - 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 authorities aims at drawing more Arab, Indian, and Australian tourists after Russian tourists dry up due to war and sanctions By Tanakorn Panyadee Phuket – The Phuket governor is aiming at drawing more Arab, Indian, and Australian tourists after the number of tourists have dropped due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the impending low season. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255363-phuket-authorities-aims-at-drawing-more-arab-indian-and-australian-tourists-after-russian-tourists-dry-up-due-to-war-and-sanctions/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Phuket – The Phuket governor is aiming at drawing more Arab, Indian, and Australian tourists after the number of tourists have dropped due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the impending low season. Today, March 31st, Phuket governor Narong Wun Siew said that the number of international tourists traveling to Phuket has significantly reduced to 2,000-3,000 people per day in contrast with the previous average of 3,000-4,000. According to the governor, possible reasons include the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia because the majority of international tourists were Russian previously, and Phuket is also approaching the low season, which causes a noticeable decline in overseas room reservations. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/31/phuket-authorities-aims-at-drawing-more-arab-indian-and-australian-tourists-after-russian-tourists-dry-up-due-to-war-and-sanctions/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-01 - 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

Political opposition party blames Thai government for causing tourism collapse and economic crisis, says Test and Go must go away immediately By Nop Meechukhun Jakkaphon Tangsuthitham Bangkok – Political opposition party Pheu Thai blamed the current Thai government for neglecting tourism experts’ warnings about domestic tourism failure due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255362-political-opposition-party-blames-thai-government-for-causing-tourism-collapse-and-economic-crisis-says-test-and-go-must-go-away-immediately/

Jakkaphon Tangsuthitham By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Political opposition party Pheu Thai blamed the current Thai government for neglecting tourism experts’ warnings about domestic tourism failure due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Jakkaphon Tangsuthitham, Deputy Secretary-General of the Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday, March 30th, that the party’s economic working group had previously warned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha to pay close attention and accelerate the revival of Thailand’s tourism but, according to his statement, the Prime Minister did not come up with any solutions, causing the Thai tourism situation to remain in what they called a coma as the party had predicted. Pheu Thai MPs from Chiang Mai continued that many tourism experts from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) had also warned General Prayut and the government that the Thai economy was still in crisis and showing no sign of recovery at all. However, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow instead denied the statement and claimed that the domestic economy in another 100 countries were also in the same state or worse. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/31/political-opposition-party-blames-thai-government-for-causing-tourism-collapse-and-economic-crisis-says-test-and-go-must-go-away-immediately/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-01 - 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 to host traditional Kong Khao (Rice) Pattaya Festival 2022 on April 17th and 20th instead of water fights By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya – Pattaya city will host the Kong Khao Pattaya Festival (a traditional rice ceremony) on April 17th and again on April 20th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255361-pattaya-to-host-traditional-kong-khao-rice-pattaya-festival-2022-on-april-17th-and-20th-instead-of-water-fights/

By Tanakorn Panyadee Pattaya – Pattaya city will host the Kong Khao Pattaya Festival (a traditional rice ceremony) on April 17th and again on April 20th. Kong Khao Pattaya Festival is a subtle, traditional way to declare the start of Songkran or the Thai New Year. As for this year, this practice has been announced to take place on April 17th at Wat Nong Yai temple and again on April 20th at Lan Pho park in the hope of promoting local, cultural tourism and upholding local, traditional sports. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/31/pattaya-to-host-traditional-kong-khao-rice-pattaya-festival-2022-on-april-17th-and-20th-instead-of-water-fights/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-01 - 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 Army apologizes for TV Channel 5’s “broadcasting problems” occurring on Monday By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Royal Thai Army today, March 31st, had released an apology statement to the public for TV Channel 5’s “broadcasting problems” while presenting news coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war on Monday, March 28th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255360-royal-thai-army-apologizes-for-tv-channel-5’s-“broadcasting-problems”-occurring-on-monday/

By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Royal Thai Army today, March 31st, had released an apology statement to the public for TV Channel 5’s “broadcasting problems” while presenting news coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war on Monday, March 28th. The signal disruption occurred when Channel 5, owned by the Royal Thai Army, was reporting about the war and political tension between Russia and Ukraine on the afternoon of Monday. This also resulted in the withdrawal of the TOP News team, who arranged and anchored the news for the channel, by the end of this month. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/31/royal-thai-army-apologizes-for-tv-channel-5s-broadcasting-problems-occurring-on-monday/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-01 - 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

PM Happy with Revenue from Arrivals through Phuket Sandbox BANGKOK (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is happy with over 50 billion baht being circulated in the national economy thanks to arrivals through the Phuket Sandbox entry scheme, according to the government spokesman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255359-pm-happy-with-revenue-from-arrivals-through-phuket-sandbox/

BANGKOK (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is happy with over 50 billion baht being circulated in the national economy thanks to arrivals through the Phuket Sandbox entry scheme, according to the government spokesman. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the spokesman, said the prime minister was following up the outcomes of the Sandbox entry scheme and other tourism promotion initiatives including especially medical tourism and medical hub campaigns. Achievements from such projects showed positive signs for the tourism sector and were stimulating national economy, he said. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-913774 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-04-01 - 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

Experts predict a weakening baht may boost exports and tourism by Michael Bridge File photo. Minister of Finance, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith There have been many press campaigns and overseas promotions by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in a bid to fill the gaps left by the Chinese and Russian tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255358-experts-predict-a-weakening-baht-may-boost-exports-and-tourism/

File photo. Minister of Finance, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith by Michael Bridge There have been many press campaigns and overseas promotions by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in a bid to fill the gaps left by the Chinese and Russian tourists. However, with travel restrictions and a strong Thai Baht, many of their plans have not been very successful to date. Meanwhile, a lower baht suggested by the Minister of Finance, Arkhom Termpittayapaisithm this week, will ease entry criteria to boost foreign tourism and also create export growth of between 5% and 6% in 2022. Thailand’s economic experts in government are currently adopting a wait-and-see approach to the current crisis caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Minister of Finance, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, suggested on Monday that economic growth should take precedence over curbing inflation, in a signal to the central bank. This would leave the way forward to a weakening baht, which may boost export competitiveness and tourism receipts in the short term, while the government estimates that the threat of inflation will recede over the course of the year particularly if the war in Ukraine is brought to a close. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The current situation comes as the baht has lost 4.64% since the 17th of February last, one week before the Russian invasion of Ukraine when the dollar to Thai baht rate was at ฿31.12. There is now a strong body of opinion that suggests that this ultra-low rate may be maintained by the Bank of Thailand which could see the Thai baht set to weaken further as the year progresses. Last week, the minister responded to fears that the kingdom may be suffering from a liquidity crisis after four Thai banks were downgraded. Technically stagflation has returned to Thailand Thanavath Phonvichai, the President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), estimated that already Thailand has lost ฿244.7 billion because of the war, which has reduced the potential GDP gain for 2022 to between 2% and 3%. ‘The Thai economy is highly likely to grow at a rate of 2% to 3%, with inflation staying at 5% this year if the Russia-Ukraine conflict is prolonged throughout this year,’ Mr Thanavath said. ‘This scenario will lead Thailand to enter technical stagflation in 2022.’ So, the ailing hospitality industry can only wait and hope that the Baht weakens soon, which could encourage more tourists to choose to take a vacation in Thailand. For expats, although we pay for our groceries in Baht, a weaker Baht would at least mean our pensions will rise. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-01 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 1 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1255356-thailand-live-friday-1-april-2022/

Thai actress’s 2nd autopsy confirms 22 small wounds on her leg The second autopsy conducted on the remains of drowned TV actress Nida Patcharaveerapong, aka “Tangmo”, has confirmed the presence of 22 small wounds on her leg, but did not find any broken teeth, fractured bones or wounds to her face or head. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255339-thai-actress’s-2nd-autopsy-confirms-22-small-wounds-on-her-leg/

Updated measures for entering the Kingdom of Thailand announced, starting April 1st PHOTO: Thansettakij The updated measures for entering the Kingdom of Thailand have been announced and made official in the Royal Gazette, Thailand’s legal bulletin, starting on April 1st. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255313-updated-measures-for-entering-the-kingdom-of-thailand-announced-starting-april-1st/