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Great Wall Signs Deal With Thailand to Reduce EV Prices by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has signed a deal with The Thai government to reduce the retail price of its electric vehicles, a move aimed at increasing domestic EV sales and production. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254474-great-wall-signs-deal-with-thailand-to-reduce-ev-prices/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor has signed a deal with The Thai government to reduce the retail price of its electric vehicles, a move aimed at increasing domestic EV sales and production. According to Michael Chong, General Manager of Great Wall Motor Thailand, the agreement, which includes a government subsidy and a reduction in value-added tax, could save customers up to 160,000 baht (US$4,779) per unit. A similar agreement was also signed on Monday (21 Mar) with Great Wall’s rival automaker, SAIC-CP Motor, the Thai subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corp. The signing comes as Thailand works to promote electric vehicle use and maintain its status as a major regional automaker. By 2030, the government intends to produce 725,000 electric vehicles per year or 30% of total production. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Chong added that other factors such as rising energy prices were also contributing to the growth of EV demand. Great Wall Motor acquired General Motors’ Thailand plant in 2020, Asia’s fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub. The firm intends to sell 20,000 units in Thailand in 2022 through its two brands, the BEV Ora Good Cat and Haval SUVs. In 2024, it intends to manufacture EVs on-site. However, analysts said the transition will take time, as Thailand registered fewer than 4,000 fully electric vehicles last year and manufacturing investments are still being made in conventional engines. Among them is Ford Motor Co, which recently invested $900 million in Thailand to upgrade factories that produce its Ranger pickup truck and Everest SUV. Andrea Cavallaro, Ford Operations Director, International Market Group, said internal combustion engine vehicles will continue to exist for some time, citing the fact that EV technology and infrastructure have yet to be adopted in Southeast Asia and other major economies worldwide. -- © Copyright NNT 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

Vietnamese man on solo voyage to India rescued by Thai fishermen Facebook: Third Naval Area Command (3rdNAC) A Vietnamese man, on a solo voyage in an inflatable dinghy from Phuket across the Indian Ocean to search for his Indian wife in Mumbai, whom he has not seen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescued from the sea by Thai fishermen. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254473-vietnamese-man-on-solo-voyage-to-india-rescued-by-thai-fishermen/

Facebook: Third Naval Area Command (3rdNAC) A Vietnamese man, on a solo voyage in an inflatable dinghy from Phuket across the Indian Ocean to search for his Indian wife in Mumbai, whom he has not seen for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been rescued from the sea by Thai fishermen. The marine security unit of the Third Fleet of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a radio report today (Wednesday) from the skipper of a Thai fishing trawler, reporting that they found a yellow and blue rubber dinghy, about 2.5 metres long, floating in the Andaman sea about 80 kilometres from the shore. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The skipper also reported that there was a man in the boat with some luggage, an almost empty tank of drinking water and some packs of instant noodles. He said that he was afraid that the unidentified sailor, who barely speaks English, might be in danger if left at sea and decided to tow him to safety. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/lovesick-vietnamese-man-on-solo-voyage-to-india-rescued-by-thai-fishermen/ -- © 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

to continue: Thailand Live Thursday 24 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1254471-thailand-live-thursday-24-march-2022/

Thai government raises musical challenge to call centre scammers The government has released a new song, being distributed on CDs, to spread awareness of and to warn the public about falling victim to call centre scams, which are widespread in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254418-thai-government-raises-musical-challenge-to-call-centre-scammers/

Songkran a test if COVID-19 can become endemic in Thailand, says hospital dean The Songkran festival in mid-April will determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wrought havoc for more than two years, will gradually transform into an endemic disease in Thailand after the easing of numerous restrictions, said Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254417-songkran-a-test-if-covid-19-can-become-endemic-in-thailand-says-hospital-dean/

Is Thailand doing enough for Ukrainian refugees? file photo Currently, according to media reports, there are more than 7,000 tourists from Ukraine and Russia and still in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254470-is-thailand-doing-enough-for-ukrainian-refugees/

file photo Currently, according to media reports, there are more than 7,000 tourists from Ukraine and Russia and still in Thailand. Thailand may not be getting the same numbers of refugees pouring into Poland, however, through no fault of their own both Ukrainian and Russian tourists are facing a number of difficulties just to return home. Initially, there was anger towards many Russians, but as we now know many of them had no idea what Putin was inflicting on Ukraine and its citizens, as their own media was heavily censored. At last, the Thai government has realized that they cannot just ignore this large number of helpless tourists, so they are now being offered to extend their visas without any application fee. With many running out of holiday spending money the government is also working out measures to offer humanitarian assistance to those affected by international flight cancellations. Last week the TAT said there are approximately 7,000 tourists from the two countries in four tourism areas, comprising Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Krabi. For tourists who are unable to return home, whether due to suspended flights or political unrest and cannot afford to stay in Thailand, the government plans to offer them shelter. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Naturally many Russians do wish to return home to their families, but with closed air space, it will be up to negotiations with Thailand and Russia to arrange repatriation flights for their citizens. It is a different situation for the Ukrainians who are here, as it would be unsafe for them to be forced to return home now. Thailand has stated that it will not deport any tourists back home without their consent. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved a budget of two million baht for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, because of the ongoing violence in the country, which continues to cause death, injuries, and infrastructure damage. I suppose the bigger issue is will Thailand offer stranded Ukrainians permanent refugee status and allow them to get work. Also, will the Thai government offer more Ukraine refugees currently pouring out of their country, an offer of a safe haven and a new life in the land of the smiles? -- © 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

Hazard Allowance Approved for Officials Facing COVID Risks BANGKOK, March 23 (TNA) – The cabinet allocated 811 million baht from the government's central fund to be the hazard allowance of officials handling COVID-19 patients. They will receive the 500-baht monthly allowance for six months. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254401-hazard-allowance-approved-for-officials-facing-covid-risks/

BANGKOK, March 23 (TNA) – The cabinet allocated 811 million baht from the government's central fund to be the hazard allowance of officials handling COVID-19 patients. They will receive the 500-baht monthly allowance for six months. Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said that the 811.77-million-baht budget was for the 270,590 sub-district chiefs, village heads, sub-district health officials, sub-district inspectors, assistant village heads and territorial defense volunteers who were duty-bound to. cope with COVID-19 outbreaks. They will retroactively receive 500 baht a month each from last October to March. 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-908523 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-23 - 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

Central bank assures Thai banking system remains resilient despite S&P downgrade The Bank of Thailand (BoT) says that the Thai banking system has undergone regular stress tests and remains resilient, with a high level of capital buffers to help it to withstand risks and uncertainties, despite S&P Global Ratings’ downgrading of four of Thailand’s commercial banks. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254400-central-bank-assures-thai-banking-system-remains-resilient-despite-sp-downgrade/

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) says that the Thai banking system has undergone regular stress tests and remains resilient, with a high level of capital buffers to help it to withstand risks and uncertainties, despite S&P Global Ratings’ downgrading of four of Thailand’s commercial banks. S&P downgraded ratings of Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikorn Bank, from BBB+ to BBB, and Krungthai Bank and TMB Thanachart Bank, from BBB to BBB-. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The ratings agency said systemic risk for Thai banks has risen and high leverage among borrowers, amid rising household debt, is likely to persist longer than expected. Its base case scenario also projects the bad loans, held by Thai banks, will grow to 5% over the next 24 months, from the current 3%, which would be the highest since the global financial crisis of 2008. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/central-bank-assures-thai-banking-system-remains-resilient-despite-sp-downgrade/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-23 - 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

Finance Ministry sees inflation hit 23-year high By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s Finance Ministry said on Wednesday that a spike in global energy prices could lead the country’s headline inflation to grow up to 7 per cent in 2022, the highest level since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254393-finance-ministry-sees-inflation-hit-23-year-high/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s Finance Ministry said on Wednesday that a spike in global energy prices could lead the country’s headline inflation to grow up to 7 per cent in 2022, the highest level since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, the Finance Minister, predicted that headline inflation will rise in tandem with a surge in crude oil prices as a result of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. He expects headline inflation to rise by 5 to 7 percent if crude oil prices remain above $100 per barrel for the rest of the year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38848/finance-ministry-sees-inflation-hit-23-year-high/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-23 - 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 Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38848/finance-ministry-sees-inflation-hit-23-year-high/

Allies and substitute parties boost PM Prayut’s chance of another term Even though Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has not yet said if he will seek another term in office, new political parties have formed with the core purpose of helping him return to power. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254392-allies-and-substitute-parties-boost-pm-prayut’s-chance-of-another-term/

Even though Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has not yet said if he will seek another term in office, new political parties have formed with the core purpose of helping him return to power. Among them are the Ruamthai Sarngchart Party and the Creative Thailand Party, founded in March and October last year, respectively. Both are expected to back General Prayut during the post-election parliamentary vote for the next prime minister, as they are viewed as substitute parties for the ruling Palang Pracharath — which has suffered waning popularity and power following infighting and defections. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/allies-and-substitute-parties-boost-pm-prayuts-chance-of-another-term/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-23 - 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

Chinese teenager riding a motorbike dies after crashing into a tree at high speed in the Pattaya area By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- A young Chinese motorbike rider has been pronounced dead at the scene after crashing his bike in the Pattaya area. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254390-chinese-teenager-riding-a-motorbike-dies-after-crashing-into-a-tree-at-high-speed-in-the-pattaya-area/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- A young Chinese motorbike rider has been pronounced dead at the scene after crashing his bike in the Pattaya area. Emergency responders were notified of the accident at 11:00 P.M. on Pattaya Second Road Jomtien in Nongprue on Monday evening, March 21st, 2022. Police, emergency responders, and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the body of the driver who was identified as MR.HOU MAN KWOK, 19, a Chinese national, lying on the road. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/23/chinese-teenager-riding-a-motorbike-dies-after-crashing-into-a-tree-at-high-speed-in-the-pattaya-area/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-23 - 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

Why Thammanat and Thai Economic Party could be PM Prayut’s worst nightmare Thammanat Prompao has finally found a new home, but the once most powerful broker in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s ruling coalition has kept everyone guessing about his new role. Will he remain a thorn in the premier’s side or will he fulfill his desire to become part of Prayut’s government? Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254389-why-thammanat-and-thai-economic-party-could-be-pm-prayut’s-worst-nightmare/

Thammanat Prompao has finally found a new home, but the once most powerful broker in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s ruling coalition has kept everyone guessing about his new role. Will he remain a thorn in the premier’s side or will he fulfill his desire to become part of Prayut’s government? After his expulsion from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party in January, Thammanat led 17 MPs under his faction to a new home in the Thai Economic Party. On Friday (Mar 18), the party elected General Vitch Devahasdin Na Ayudhya as its leader and Thammanat as secretary-general. Vitch is the former chairman of Palang Pracharath’s strategic committee while Thammanat is its former secretary-general. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/why-thammanat-and-thai-economic-party-could-be-pm-prayuts-worst-nightmare/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-23 - 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

Pheu Thai MP Karoon Hosakul resigns from party following internal conflict In this file photo, Karoon Hosakul (right) and Thaksin Shinawatra (left). Long-time Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok’s Don Mueang district Karoon Hosakul has announced his resignation from the party, saying he has no regrets over no longer being a member of the “Pheu Thai Family”. The term was recently coined at a party meeting, a party which is seeing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn’s position rise, after she was hailed as the “head of the family”. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254386-pheu-thai-mp-karoon-hosakul-resigns-from-party-following-internal-conflict/

In this file photo, Karoon Hosakul (right) and Thaksin Shinawatra (left). Long-time Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok’s Don Mueang district Karoon Hosakul has announced his resignation from the party, saying he has no regrets over no longer being a member of the “Pheu Thai Family”. The term was recently coined at a party meeting, a party which is seeing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn’s position rise, after she was hailed as the “head of the family”. In his Facebook post yesterday, Karoon admitted that, of late, he has started to experience problems in the party, despite working normally and as diligently as he always has, probably because he was viewed by some party executives as being close to Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, currently chair of the Thai Sang Thai party and former strategic chief of the Pheu Thai party. He said that this opinion of him eventually led to mistrust, to the point that some party executives stopped treating him as a party member and even suggested that he should be barred from party meetings. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-mp-karoon-hosakul-resigns-from-party-following-internal-conflict/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-23 - 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

Video: Pitbulls from temple invade house - young child runs to safety, vicious animals tear pet cat to shreds Picture: Daily News A CCTV video posted to the site on Facebook that translates as "So You Wanna Be Famous, Return Part 3" showed the dramatic moment when three Pitbull terriers invaded a house in Kanchanaburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254384-video-pitbulls-from-temple-invade-house-young-child-runs-to-safety-vicious-animals-tear-pet-cat-to-shreds/

Picture: Daily News A CCTV video posted to the site on Facebook that translates as "So You Wanna Be Famous, Return Part 3" showed the dramatic moment when three Pitbull terriers invaded a house in Kanchanaburi. The owner's child had been playing with a cat. The child fled for safety to an inside room narrowly avoiding becoming a victim of the savage animals, posted the father in a report picked up by Daily News. The beasts then turned their attention to the family's pet cat that was ripped to shreds. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The father said that a monk at the nearby temple kept four Pitbulls that had got loose and were in an area behind his house before the attack. He said he dreaded to think what might have happened to his child had the dogs been able to get to the child rather than be distracted by the cat. He called on the authorities to act. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-23 - 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