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Thailand’s soft power ranked 35th globally Thailand is ranked 35th out of 120 countries on the Global Soft Power Index 2022, a fall from 33rd last year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257826-thailand’s-soft-power-ranked-35th-globally/

Thailand is ranked 35th out of 120 countries on the Global Soft Power Index 2022, a fall from 33rd last year. “Soft power” has recently become a buzzword in Thailand, following a performance by Thai rapper Danupha Khanatheerakul, aka “Milli”, at the world-famous Coachella music festival in California, during which she ate mango sticky rice, helping to increase the international popularity of the Thai dessert. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ranking, which was released in March, is determined by several factors, such as familiarity, reputation, influence on other countries, as well as the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also evaluated by the seven pillars of soft power, namely business and trade, governance, international relations, culture and heritage, media and communications, education and science and people and values. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-soft-power-ranked-35th-globally/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-26 - 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

Is the Weather noticeably hotter this year in Thailand? by Michael Bridge The normal weather in Thailand is classified as hot and humid, with a long monsoon season. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257825-is-the-weather-noticeably-hotter-this-year-in-thailand/

by Michael Bridge The normal weather in Thailand is classified as hot and humid, with a long monsoon season. Thailand has three official seasons - hot, cool, and wet. The hot season runs from March through to June, with April and May the hottest months of the year. Thailand's climate is subtropical throughout most of the country, leading the weather in Thailand to year-round hot and humid conditions. During the hottest months of the year, temperatures regularly top 40° C (105° F). Even during the cooler “winter” season, you can expect daily highs to be around 30° C (86° F). Unusually hot We are now in the hottest month and April and the average over the past seven days has reached 32°celius C or 89.9 Fahrenheit. Driving around town last week, my car’s temperate gauged regularly showed 44 celsius. The air conditioning was struggling to cope! This year, the rise in global temperature will be reflected in the upcoming extreme local weather. Extraordinary scorching heat in the summer is forecasted by climate experts in Thailand, with some parts in the North expected to experience temperatures of up to 42-43 degrees Celsius. Thailand is also predicted to suffer the hottest temperature among Asean countries. Health concerns As such, there are raised concerns on the health implication imposed by the heat, ranging from mild heat rashes to deadly heatstroke. Therefore making a few adjustments to your daily routine can help you avoid unnecessary heat complications while still enjoying the sun. This is especially important for the city dwellers in Bangkok, which is already affected by the ‘urban heat island effect’. As the urban area is more densely populated and constructed, heat trapped inside the city contributes to higher temperatures compared to the surrounding or rural area. If possible, plan your outside and active activities well; i.e early in the morning or late in the evening. As you probably spend more time indoors during the working days, plan your weekend to avoid excessive sun exposure also. If the temperature is unbearably hot, keep yourself indoors. If you are on an outdoor trip, always look for shade and cool off as much as possible before completing your journey instead of rushing to your destination. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Aside from the heat, take preventive measure to protect your health from the air pollution in Thailand. Although the air pollution level varies seasonally, it tends to be at its highest on hot, sunny days and cleaner after rainy or windy weather. If you are planning to exercise, avoid rush hour in busy traffic areas. Make use of parks, public spaces and keep a healthy distance from the road. Keep hydrated Make sure you drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep you hydrated. Bring your own water supply when you are heading outside. Plain water should be the best choice as alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks can act as a diuretic that leads to dehydration or slows the hydration process. Be more vigilant on the signs and symptoms of dehydration such as dark urine, headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue. Keep Your Body Cool Place some ice in a bowl in front of your fan. The breeze will pick up cold water from the ice’s surface as it melts, creating a cooling mist. You can also bring some wet towels with you when heading outside. Soak it in cool water, wring it out, then wear it on the back of your neck. It will not only keep your skin nice and cool but also reduce water evaporation on your skin so you don’t have to sweat as much. Avoid using handheld electric fans especially if the temperature outside is more than 35 degrees Celsius. Fans create airflow and a false sense of comfort, but they don’t do anything to actually reduce your body temperature. Instead of a fan, carry a misting bottle (not a spray bottle) outside to help you cool off. Stay cool! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-26 - 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 26 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1257824-thailand-live-tuesday-26-april-2022/

Thai Fruit Exports Arrives at Southern Chinese Port BANGKOK (NNT) - A shipment of more than 3,000 tons of fruit exports from Thailand has arrived in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257788-thai-fruit-exports-arrives-at-southern-chinese-port/

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Provinces Make Clear Intention to Declare COVID-19 Endemic BANGKOK (NNT) - A number of provinces in Thailand have stated their intention to be among the first to declare COVID-19 an endemic disease, though approval from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is required before any further announcements can be made. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257782-provinces-make-clear-intention-to-declare-covid-19-endemic/

Somkid Accepts Invitation to Run for Prime Minister by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - A high-ranking official has accepted an invitation to run for prime minister on behalf of the newly formed Sang Anakhot Thai (Building Thailand’s Future) Party. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257771-somkid-accepts-invitation-to-run-for-prime-minister/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - A high-ranking official has accepted an invitation to run for prime minister on behalf of the newly formed Sang Anakhot Thai (Building Thailand’s Future) Party. According to Sang Anakhot Thai Secretary-General Sontirat Sontijirawong, former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak has been selected as a candidate for the top job after being approached for the position during a meeting. Sontirat, however, noted that it is still too early to officially announce a candidate for prime minister because the election date has not yet been determined. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Sontirat, a former energy minister for the current government, said the meeting signaled the party’s willingness to fully engage in politics with a series of political activities planned in advance of the election. According to the party, Uttama Savanayana, the former Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader and secretary-general, was also elected party leader. He recently told a gathering of party members and supporters in Nonthaburi province that the party would invite Somkid to run for prime minister under the banner of the party, whose goal was to alleviate economic hardship. Uttama went on to say that the party has brought together experts from both the public and private sectors, as well as members of the younger generation, to serve the people’s interests while also strengthening the economy, empowering human resources and promoting constructive politics. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-25 - 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

Pipe tumble turns out to be blessing in disguise for exhausted Thai kitten Daily News Thai Caption: Humans...please help me! Jip Teck Siang Tung rescue foundation in Surin in the north east of Thailand were called after a woman called "A" heard the sound of a cat while walking her dog, reported Daily News. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257770-pipe-tumble-turns-out-to-be-blessing-in-disguise-for-exhausted-thai-kitten/

Daily News Thai Caption: Humans...please help me! Jip Teck Siang Tung rescue foundation in Surin in the north east of Thailand were called after a woman called "A" heard the sound of a cat while walking her dog, reported Daily News. "A" said she couldn't understand at first where all that miaowing was coming from. It emerged that a black kitten aged about 2 months had fallen down a hole in a pipe on the roof of a building. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Rescue workers looked down the pipe and realised the kitten had tried and failed to extricate itself and was now exhausted. Armed with hammer and pliers they managed to bring the little guy to safety by cutting the pipe. But that was not the only good news for the kitten. "A" decided to look after the kitten giving it the name "Jao Nam Choke" - the one who brings good fortune. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-25 - 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 Picture: Daily News

PM Worried about Unvaccinated People BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is worried about unvaccinated people as the numbers of COVID-19-infected people who suffer lung inflammation, depend on ventilators and died are increasing, according to the government spokesman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257768-pm-worried-about-unvaccinated-people/

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is worried about unvaccinated people as the numbers of COVID-19-infected people who suffer lung inflammation, depend on ventilators and died are increasing, according to the government spokesman. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday that new daily COVID-19 cases were stable in many areas and tended to fall in some areas due to people’s cooperation with disease control measures. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe However, the prime minister was concerned about the rising numbers of people with lung inflammation, those who were dependent on ventilators and dead patients as most of them had not been vaccinated or had not received booster shots. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-930076 -- © Copyright Thai News Agency 2022-04-25 - 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

One dead as mob violence hits Pathum Thani Daily News Thai Caption: Thugs rule the town Daily News reported that locals in Pathum Thani north of the Thai capital Bangkok were facing trouble from thugs bent on ruling the area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257766-one-dead-as-mob-violence-hits-pathum-thani/

Daily News Thai Caption: Thugs rule the town Daily News reported that locals in Pathum Thani north of the Thai capital Bangkok were facing trouble from thugs bent on ruling the area. The latest violence between rival groups featured gunfire and the throwing of so-called ping pong explosive devices. The trouble kicked off just after midnight in the early hours of Sunday morning as Pak Klong Rangsit police went to the Bang Kadee estate in Ban Mai sub-district, Muang district. Dead in the road was 15 year old Kittiphan who had been shot in the chest. He was carrying explosive devices. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Evidence of a shot having been fired was gathered though the caliber of the weapon was not identified as yet. Four friends had arrived at the estate and while three went inside to sort out repairs to a motorcycle the deceased was told to wait outside. Picture: Daily News He was told if there was trouble to tell them. But an explosion was heard and he was found dead. Security at the estate said that there have been ongoing feuds there between gangs on motorcycles. They said that the victim threw ten explosive devices before three shots rang out and he fell. Two motorcycles sped off in the wrong direction down the road. Residents reported having their sleep interrupted by the violence every night. A video was made of the trouble a few days ago. Pol Lt-Col Kawee Chuaysang is in charge of the investigation. CCTV is being examined and there is an autopsy taking place at Thammasat Chalerm Prakiat Hospital. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-25 - 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 Airways to hand over its catering unit management to private sector By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s flag carrier, Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), is seeking to auction off the management of its catering unit, Puff&Pie, in an attempt to grow its food business and secure income. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257764-thai-airways-to-hand-over-its-catering-unit-management-to-private-sector/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s flag carrier, Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), is seeking to auction off the management of its catering unit, Puff&Pie, in an attempt to grow its food business and secure income. Chansin Treenuchagron, one of the committee members in charge of the airline’s rehabilitation plans, said the company continues to earn more income from cargo services and its catering unit to offset the loss in passengers amid the pandemic, according to local media reports. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The airline will accept bids from interested agencies until May 27, after which it will decide who will handle the Puff&Pie franchise for the next five years between June 7-9. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39634/thai-airways-to-hand-over-its-catering-unit-management-to-private-sector/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-04-25 - 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

We'll see you in court! Restaurant sends out raw chicken and pork steaks - then blames the customer Sanook Thai Caption: Fresh, raw steak! It looks like another case of the customer always being in the wrong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257761-well-see-you-in-court-restaurant-sends-out-raw-chicken-and-pork-stakes-then-blames-the-customer/

Sanook Thai Caption: Fresh, raw steak! It looks like another case of the customer always being in the wrong. Sanook reported on a Facebook post by a customer called "Noppharat Aef". He ordered four packs of chicken steak, pork chop and fish steak from a Lad Prao restaurant for 681 baht. But none of the items could be consumed as they were all raw inside. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He contacted the shop who refused to take responsibility claiming in a text exchange that the customer had originally said the items were burnt. The shop told the customer they would not get a refund - they would see them in court rather than do that. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-25 - 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

Locations Selected for Key Piers in Landbridge Project by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - A recent meeting of the Southern Economic Corridor project linking transportation in the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand, also known as the Landbridge project, has selected the locations for two key piers. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257760-locations-selected-for-key-piers-in-landbridge-project/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - A recent meeting of the Southern Economic Corridor project linking transportation in the Andaman coast and the Gulf of Thailand, also known as the Landbridge project, has selected the locations for two key piers. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said a consultant company suggested Leam Ao Ang in Ranong province for the Andaman coast and Leam Riw in Chumphon province for the Gulf. According to the consultant company, the two areas have the capacity to handle more than 20 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods, with the potential to double that capacity in the future. The minister has asked the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning and the consultant company to further study plans on handling goods. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He has also tasked them with increasing the competitiveness of the two piers in the Landbridge project and elsewhere in the country. These include piers for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), the Melaka Gateway in Malaysia and the Dara Sakor in Cambodia. Additionally, Minister Saksayam said his ministry is looking to introduce laws that would facilitate the establishment of the Southern Economic Corridor. It is also working to amend a 2018 law governing the expansion of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and a 2019 law about co-investment in the EEC between the government and private sector. The ministry is also planning to hold roadshow events abroad to attract more investors for the Landbridge project. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-25 - 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

Deceased celebrity gets her own ambulance after friends present vehicle to rescue foundation Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported that a woman called Anna and her friends have presented an ambulance emblazoned with the picture of their deceased friend Pataratida Pacharawirapong. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257759-deceased-celebrity-gets-her-own-ambulance-after-friends-present-vehicle-to-rescue-foundation/