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PHOTO: Prachachat By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” scheme and introduce a single ATK test to welcome international tourists and spur tourism growth. Tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed at the 2022 general meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) today, March 24th, that the ministry would propose a plan to revoke the “Thailand Pass”, hopefully, to be implemented from June 1st onwards, in order to enhance more opportunities for the tourism sector to recover from the Covid-19 situation hardship. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In short, the plan would encourage traveling to Thailand to return to normal as in 2019 or before the Covid-19 global pandemic, Phiphat said. Travelers would not be required to register either “Test&Go” or “Sandbox” or “Quarantine Tourism” and, in principle, should not require a Covid-19 test. However, the minister suggested that ATK testing should still be conducted on the first day of arrival for public confidence or that the test could be optional but encouraged. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/24/tourism-and-sports-ministry-to-propose-thailand-pass-cancellation-and-introduce-single-atk-test-to-spur-tourism-growth/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-25 - 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

No increase for Thai based UK Pensioners: vote here to get this changed by Michael Bridge Rishi Sunak announced an array of measures in his 2021 Budget (Photo: PA) Recently the UK government announced that UK pensions were being increased to keep pace with inflation, but not if you have retired to Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254591-no-increase-for-thai-based-uk-pensioners-vote-here-to-get-this-changed/

Rishi Sunak announced an array of measures in his 2021 Budget (Photo: PA) by Michael Bridge Recently the UK government announced that UK pensions were being increased to keep pace with inflation, but not if you have retired to Thailand. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak unveiled a wide-ranging series of new measures in his 2021 Budget this week, from an overhaul of alcohol duty to reinforcing a freeze on fuel duty. Public sector pay rises, a hike to the national minimum wage and a £6bn cash injection for the NHS had already been revealed ahead of the speech on Wednesday. In his address, the Chancellor promised to help families meet the rising cost of living as he painted a positive picture about the health of the economy as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. What does the 2021 Budget mean for pensions? There was very little mention of specific policies for pensioners in Mr Sunak’s announcement. Indeed, the Chancellor’s only explicit reference to pensioners came when he said he will consult on further changes to the regulatory charge cap for pensions schemes, in a bid to “unlock institutional investment while protecting savers.” One reason for the scarcity of new information would be that the year’s major pensions announcement – the scrapping of the triple lock – came back in September. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Government broke a manifesto pledge by introducing a new “double lock” system for the next year, to account for the way the Covid pandemic has inflated wage growth. Because of this, we know that from next year the state pension will increase 3.1 per cent in line with the latest UK inflation rates. This was pointed out by Helen Morrissey, senior pensions, and retirement analyst at the financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown. She said: “Today has been one of the quieter Budgets from a pension perspective. However, this is only because we have had so many announcements already this year. “Given this backdrop it’s understandable no further pension changes were announced today – pensioners already have much to think about.” How much will pensions increase in 2022? Pensioners are in line for an increase of £5.55 a week next year after inflation dipped slightly. The Office for National Statistics said the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation, which will be used to calculate the uplift, fell to 3.1 per cent in September, from 3.2 per cent in August. Alistair McQueen, head of savings and retirement at Aviva, said: “Today’s 3.1 per cent inflation (CPI) figure will predict the rise in the value of the state pension from April 2022. “If confirmed by Government, this should represent a £5.55 rise in the weekly value of the full new state pension in April 2022, from £179.60 to £185.15.” The triple lock guarantees that the state pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent – whichever is higher. However, its replacement the double lock means that the link between pensions and wage growth has been severed for a year. If it were still in place, the triple lock would have given pensioners a boost of around eight per cent next year – around £14 more a week for some. But no Increase for Thai based UK Pensioners Many U.K. citizens living abroad do not receive annual increase in pension payments. This is entirely unjust! Why should we not get equal rights? Pensioners living abroad are less of a strain on the National Health (not using the services of G.Ps., emergency services etc.), in most cases having to fund health care including care homes privately. Not receiving Winter Fuel Payment, not receiving discounted travel on public transport. Yet we are still penalized! It is only fair that the Government treats all its citizens on an equal basis! There is now a petition running on a government site and currently, they had close to 9,000 signatures. With 10,000 the government must respond. Reach 100,000 and the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. So, make the effort and please add your name, and share this article so more can sign https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601821 -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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 25 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1254588-thailand-live-friday-25-march-2022/

Festival Goers Asked to Refrain from Splashing Water during Songkran BANGKOK, (TNA) – The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) asked for cooperation from festival goers to refrain from splashing water and using powder and foam in public places during the Songkran Thai New Year holiday, said Apisamai Srirangson, CCSA spokeswoman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254570-festival-goers-asked-to-refrain-from-splashing-water-during-songkran/

Thailand’s army-run TV channel meets Russian, Ukrainian ambassadors, defends the move Thailand’s army-run Channel 5 executives on Thursday met with the Ukrainian ambassador to Thailand, three days after meeting the Russian ambassador to Thailand for cooperation in news coverage, while defending the move, amid criticism that followed the meeting with the former, saying that both meetings are intended to help the channel present balanced news coverage of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to the Thai audience. Full tory: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254575-thailand’s-army-run-tv-channel-meets-russian-ukrainian-ambassadors-defends-the-move/

TCC Backs Govt’s Decision to Remain Neutral in Ukraine War BANGKOK (NNT) - The Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) said he agreed with the government’s decision to remain neutral in the Ukraine war. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254543-tcc-backs-govt’s-decision-to-remain-neutral-in-ukraine-war/

Bangkok Governor Resigns to Become Independent Candidate BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) – Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang resigned as the Bangkok governor and announced his plan to be an independent candidate in the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254525-bangkok-governor-resigns-to-become-independent-candidate/

BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) – Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang resigned as the Bangkok governor and announced his plan to be an independent candidate in the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election. He held a press conference on his resignation before the Election Commission will announce the election of the Bangkok governor and local administrators of Bangkok and Pattaya City on March 25. Pol Gen Aswin said he had worked hard as the Bangkok governor in the past five years, five months and five days and canal improvement had been his first mission after assuming the governorship. 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-909267 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-24 - 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 cancels presser on Russian cooperation, to meet with Ukraine embassy By Erich Parpart Channel 5 has canceled a press conference to announce a media partnership with contemporaries from Russia, China, and Iran, local news reported on Thursday, after blowback received by the channel earlier this week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254524-channel-5-cancels-presser-on-russian-cooperation-to-meet-with-ukraine-embassy/

By Erich Parpart Channel 5 has canceled a press conference to announce a media partnership with contemporaries from Russia, China, and Iran, local news reported on Thursday, after blowback received by the channel earlier this week. The army-run free-TV channel did not officially clarify the cancellation but members of the press reported that executives of the Thai TV channel are looking to meet with representatives from the Ukraine embassy first before having the press conference. Executives from the channel met with Yevgeny Tomikhin, the Russian ambassador to Thailand, on Tuesday evening and they agreed to provide Russian news about the war in Ukraine that is based on “facts” because there is “fake news” in international media. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38891/channel-5-cancels-presser-on-russian-cooperation-to-meet-with-ukraine-embassy/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-24 - 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

Gold shop robber slips across the border into Myanmar Picture: Mnager Manager reported on the latest developments after a man wielding a knife robbed the Bangkok Gold Shop in Lotus Mahachai, Samut Sakhon last weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254521-gold-shop-robber-slips-across-the-border-into-myanmar/

Picture: Mnager Manager reported on the latest developments after a man wielding a knife robbed the Bangkok Gold Shop in Lotus Mahachai, Samut Sakhon last weekend. The thief got away with 22 baht weight in jewelry worth 700,000 baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Police now have a warrant out for the arrest of 34 year old Pornchai Hongratanawaree from Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi. Further west in the province his relatives in Sangkhlaburi said that Pornchai had fled across the border into a neighboring country - that's Myanmar. The hunt continues with authorities across the border being informed. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Probe underway into yet another case of controversial ‘fancy’ lamp posts Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand’s eastern province of Sa Kaeo have launched an investigation into the installation of fancy lamp posts in their area, following the discovery of similar lamp posts being installed in many other provinces last year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254519-probe-underway-into-yet-another-case-of-controversial-‘fancy’-lamp-posts/

Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Thailand’s eastern province of Sa Kaeo have launched an investigation into the installation of fancy lamp posts in their area, following the discovery of similar lamp posts being installed in many other provinces last year. The posts, topped with the half bird half human Kinnara figurine, were installed very close to each other along a 100-metre stretch of a small road, which runs beside the Phra Sathueng Canal, and their bases were covered with thick grass. The project is said to have been worth 10.5 million baht and it was completed in 2017. The director of the Sa Kaeo NACC Office and his officials conducted a field inspection of the fancy lamp posts yesterday (Wednesday), following social media posts questioning the project. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/probe-underway-into-yet-another-case-of-controversial-fancy-lamp-posts/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-24 - 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

Monks and relatives escape serious injury in overturned car - it's all about the right amulet Picture: Naew Na Naew Na predictably focussed on the amulet being worn by a driver who escaped serious injury in a collision. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254518-monks-and-relatives-escape-serious-injury-in-overturned-car-its-all-about-the-right-amulet/

Picture: Naew Na Naew Na predictably focussed on the amulet being worn by a driver who escaped serious injury in a collision. The Luang Phor Khoon amulet to be precise. It was round Prasit's neck and the 64 year old was in no doubts about the amulets powers. Picture: Naew Na Police in Lansak, Uthai Thani are investigating after a car was turning and was rear ended by a pick-up. The car - containing two monks who were taken to hospital - ended up overturned 5 meters off the road. Other occupants of the car also survived. The pick-up was partly off the road surface. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Lampposts pierce cab of truck following - driver escapes with minor injury Picture: INN Sida police in Nakhon Ratchasima along with rescue personnel were called after a ten wheel truck drove into the back on another carrying lampposts. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254517-lampposts-pierce-cab-of-truck-following-driver-escapes-with-minor-injury/

Picture: INN Sida police in Nakhon Ratchasima along with rescue personnel were called after a ten wheel truck drove into the back on another carrying lampposts. A couple of lampposts became detached and pierced the cab of the truck following. Jakraphan, 23 was very lucky not to be seriously injured. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He was treated at the scene for a minor leg injury before being taken to hospital for a check-up. INN had some pictures of serious damage to his truck. Amulets were not mentioned. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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 Pictures: INN

Mum offers 100% forgiveness to son who battered her - he bargains booze ban down to 50% Picture: Thai Rath Following a clip of violence perpetrated on a mother, a drunk son has been taken to "graap thao". Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254516-mum-offers-100-forgiveness-to-son-who-battered-her-he-bargains-booze-ban-down-to-50/

Picture: Thai Rath Following a clip of violence perpetrated on a mother, a drunk son has been taken to "graap thao". This is putting one's head to the floor to apologize to a senior. In this case grovelling on the floor was Aet, 38 and sitting in the chair was his mum Thuan, 75, whom he'd assaulted. Aet offered his apologies and said it wouldn't happen again. Thuan said she 100% forgave him. Aet was told to stop drinking. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thinking this was a step too far, he offered a 50% reduction that was accepted so that he wouldn't be prosecuted, reported Thai Rath. They then went home arm in arm. The local phoo yai ban said Aet was on some final warnings and mustn't step out of line anymore after a series of assaults and trespass cases. It all played out in Nong Yai sub-district of Buriram in the north east. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-24 - 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

Bank subsidiaries’ investments in digital assets to be capped at 3% of capital A person uses a cell phone to pay with Bitcoins during the Latin Bitcoin conference (LABITCONF) in San Salvador, on November 18, 2021. (Photo by Sthanly ESTRADA / AFP) The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is to issue a new regulation to limit investment in digital assets by business units of commercial banks to no more than 3% of their capital. The regulation is expected to come into force in the middle of this year, the bank’s Assistant Governor Roong Mallikamas told a news conference on Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254515-bank-subsidiaries’-investments-in-digital-assets-to-be-capped-at-3-of-capital/

A person uses a cell phone to pay with Bitcoins during the Latin Bitcoin conference (LABITCONF) in San Salvador, on November 18, 2021. (Photo by Sthanly ESTRADA / AFP) The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is to issue a new regulation to limit investment in digital assets by business units of commercial banks to no more than 3% of their capital. The regulation is expected to come into force in the middle of this year, the bank’s Assistant Governor Roong Mallikamas told a news conference on Wednesday. Commercial banks, however, are not allowed direct involvement in the digital assets businesses. The central bank’s move comes on the same day the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued another new rule, barring regulated digital assets operators from using their digital assets as a means of payment for goods or services. The digital assets operators will be given until end of April to comply. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bank-subsidiaries-investments-in-digital-assets-to-be-capped-at-3-of-capital/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-24 - 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

Airport Staff Criticized for Crowding Blackpink’s Lisa BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) – Thai K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban of South Korea’s Blackpink girl group returned to Thailand for the first time in three years and many staff on duty at Suvarnabhumi airport were criticized for following the star en masse to take her photos. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254513-airport-staff-criticized-for-crowding-blackpink’s-lisa/

BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) – Thai K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban of South Korea’s Blackpink girl group returned to Thailand for the first time in three years and many staff on duty at Suvarnabhumi airport were criticized for following the star en masse to take her photos. Lisa arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on March 22 and was believed to be reunited with her family and celebrate her birthday on March 27. Fans waited at the airport to welcome Lisa and agreed earlier to keep a distance from her. However, so many staff members of the airport ran after her to take pictures even while she was exiting the passenger terminal to board a vehicle. 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-909164 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-24 - 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