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Doesn’t Thailand have enough events already to attract tourists? by Michael Bridge The Thailand Tourism Authority of Thailand, known as the TAT, has very well-paid executives trying to promote the land of smiles to a global audience. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257371-doesn’t-thailand-have-enough-events-already-to-attract-tourists/

by Michael Bridge The Thailand Tourism Authority of Thailand, known as the TAT, has very well-paid executives trying to promote the land of smiles to a global audience. They are spending huge sums on getting tourists to choose Thailand rather than other destinations. However, in reality Thailand has not lost its appeal, so perhaps TAT should look at what attracted people here in large numbers in the past. Certainly, the Burapha Bike Festival, one of the country’s biggest public festivals annually held in Pattaya attracted over 50,000 bikers, many from overseas. Canceled for the past couple of years because of Covid concerns, hopefully, it will return in 2023. The Honda LPGA Thailand was again held behind closed doors this year, but in the past up to 25,000 a day would flock to see the top fifty female golfers in the world at Siam Country Club. It will return in March 2023. At last, one event did go ahead in 2022 when the Full Moon Parties recently returned to Haad Rin. Apparently, the southern Island of Koh Pha Ngan attracted over 10,000 party-goers this past weekend for the first full-scale full moon party in over two years. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The event went off without a hitch with tourists, marine, and immigration police all there to ensure that everyone was able to have fun while also maintaining some sense of law and order. One local said that a large number of foreign tourists meant that the iconic event was still in people’s minds, even after two years of silence. As the word spreads that it was an enormous success, they expect that the next party on May 16th will attract even more partygoers. These beach parties have become well-known around the world, and it is amazing to see them back in fashion. Pattaya is also getting ready to host a mega music festival in May with some of the World’s top DJ’s, revealed that the UK’s number one electronic music festival. Known as Creamfields, it will be hosted at Nongnooch Pattaya Garden between 28 and 29 May, with a promising line-up of electronic artists like R3HAB and Fedde Le Grand. 100,000 are expected over the two days 2018 marked the first year MotoGP™ made its way to the Chang International Circuit which attracted a huge crowd of over 100,000 and was voted by the riders as the best organized meeting of the year. The fans will be back as the Moto GP circus returns on October 2nd, 2022, to this popular Buriram circuit. So, you see Thailand already has a number of events that will attract foreigners before we remember that Thailand’s beaches, hospitality, and incredible cuisine are also huge attractions. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-21 - 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 Covid-19 Center Committee to discuss school reopenings and international arrival measures easing in next meeting PHOTO: Siamrath The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is planning to consider school reopenings and international arrival measures easing after the number of daily infections after the Songkran long holiday so far remains stable. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257361-thai-covid-19-center-committee-to-discuss-school-reopenings-and-international-arrival-measures-easing-in-next-meeting/

Mango fever! US Embassy joins in the fun from Mount Rushmore! Picture: FB US embassy The US Embassy in Bangkok is joining in the fun after top Thai rapper Milli promoted the iconic Thai dessert Mango and Sticky Rice on stage at a music festival in Southern California. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257312-mango-fever-us-embassy-joins-in-the-fun-from-mount-rushmore/

Thai mango sticky rice desert craze grows as embassies join in The mango sticky rice craze continues in Thailand, after female rapper, Danupha “Minnie” Kanateerakul, a.k.a Milli, ate the Thai dessert during her performance at the Coachella event last weekend. This has prompted diplomatic missions in Thailand to join in. The US embassy in Bangkok posted an edited photo of Mount Rushmore, depicting the four sculptures of the former presidents of the United States carved into the granite staring at a plate of mango sticky rice. The photo was posted along with the caption “The U.S. Embassy is thrilled to see our favorite Thai dessert trending after #Coachella2022. These former Presidents also want a bite of this “mangonificent” combo!” The Swedish embassy also posted a video clip of their Ambassador to Thailand, J, trying mango sticky rice while asking people how to enjoy the dessert correctly. He said in the video that it was delicious and rated it 9 out of 10. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-mango-sticky-rice-desert-craze-grows-as-embassies-join-in/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-20 - 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

Picture: FB US Embassy The US Embassy in Bangkok is joining in the fun after top Thai rapper Milli promoted the iconic Thai dessert Mango and Sticky Rice on stage at a music festival in Southern California. In a Facebook post the embassy said that they were thrilled that "our favorite Thai dessert" was trending after Coachella 2022, the name of the festival. "These former presidents also want a bite of this magnificent combo". They had a cartoon graphic of the four presidents carved into the side of Mount Rushmore saying "Wow!!!" when faced with several plates of the delicious dessert. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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

Falling asleep at the wheel: Far more cases than reported, says accident prevention doc Thai Caption: Sign: Sleepy, stop and rest. "Microsleep" - in the blink of an eye like falling ten stories Daily News reported on a condition that is featuring in more and more reports of accidents in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257311-falling-asleep-at-the-wheel-far-more-cases-than-reported-says-accident-prevention-doc/

Thai Caption: Sign: Sleepy, stop and rest. "Microsleep" - in the blink of an eye like falling ten stories Daily News reported on a condition that is featuring in more and more reports of accidents in Thailand. Falling asleep at the wheel or microsleep. This is known as "lap nai" in Thai and there are signs up all over the kingdom on main roads warning people to take rests if they are drowsy. The signs are always in Thai. Picture: Daily News Dr Manoon Leechawaengwong warned the public through a Zoom meeting with the press as fallout from accidents on the Thai roads at Songkran settled. He fronts an accident prevention group. He said that most people need 8 hours sleep and when they don't get it the body has to compensate. Most people's body clocks mean they will be susceptible to microsleep during the daylight hours of 2-4pm. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News Signs are persistent yawning, eyes tending to close, moving around on the road and general disorientation. If fellow road users see cars veering off a straight line they should sound their horn 2-3 times to alert the driver. Don't flash lights as that is pointless, said the doctor. When confronted with symptoms of microsleep you should stop, have a coffee and rest. You should try and sleep for 10-15 minutes. Not longer, because that will just make you more drowsy. If you can sleep for a few minutes then you'll be good to drive on for hours. Most microsleep accidents are one vehicle affairs on straight roads with the driver veering off line into trees, roadside signs and poles and even into the back of trucks. The condition can also occur during boring spells in traffic when singing or chewing gum might help. Dr Manoon said that official figures many years ago suggested that microsleep was responsible for 4% of accidents. This has now been revised to about 7-8% but he believes this is still too low to reflect the real incidence of "lap nai". He said that many accidents are put down to speed or other reasons when really it was microsleep. He believed that in the USA the authorities think that 21% of accidents were caused by microsleep and in Europe it is between 20 and 25%. Picture: Daily News He said that with microsleep drivers are literally a blink of the eye away from death. Travelling at a speed of only 90 kmph and dropping off for 4 seconds the vehicle will travel 100 meters. A collision at a speed like this will be the same as falling ten floors to the ground and result in death almost 100% of the time. The condition affects truckers, car and bus drivers and motorcyclists to varying degrees. The doctor said the key was to sleep for 8 hours every day, not just the day before a road trip. He said that when he was a student in America there was a case where a driver who killed a child during a microsleep episode was acquitted. But the mother of the victim fought the case and the court revised its decision as it was later proven that the driver should be held responsible for not being fit to drive. He hoped that this would soon be the case in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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

Barracuda Mango Prices Surge Amid Mango Sticky Rice Craze by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Barracuda mango prices are seeing a significant spike by as much as 10 baht per kg amid especially high demand for mango sticky rice. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257303-barracuda-mango-prices-surge-amid-mango-sticky-rice-craze/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Barracuda mango prices are seeing a significant spike by as much as 10 baht per kg amid especially high demand for mango sticky rice. Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade, said that in addition to higher demand, policies to intervene in the price mechanism and increase distribution channels have also contributed to the surge. According to the director-general, the situation has helped mango growers to generate more revenue compared to last year. Top quality barracuda mangos are being sold at prices ranging from 25-35 baht per kg, up from last year’s 22 - 25 baht per kg. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Wattanasak said that his department is working with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and Thailand Post on a program to further increase distribution channels for fruit farmers. The initiative allows more than 3,500 factories and companies in 63 industrial estates under the IEAT to pre-order mangos and other seasonal fruits, with Thailand Post providing logistic solutions. The IEAT will also allocate spaces inside industrial estates for farmers to set up stalls to directly sell their products. A total of 78 vending booths for barracuda mangos from Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Udon Thani will also be erected in 33 provinces. These three provinces are considered key barracuda mango production hubs. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-20 - 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

Mystery death of factory worker found in rented room in Samut Prakan Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that police in Samut Prakan were alerted after a 37 year old woman from Nong Khai was found dead in a rented room. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257302-mystery-death-of-factory-worker-found-in-rented-room-in-samut-prakan/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that police in Samut Prakan were alerted after a 37 year old woman from Nong Khai was found dead in a rented room. Sathaporn Yunira - a factory worked in the Bang Poo industrial estate had not turned up for work on Tuesday. Colleagues went looking for her. The body had no signs of injury apart from some bruising on the right wrist. Some pork on a stick and sticky rice was found discarded on the floor amid other items. Picture: 77kaoded The victim's elder brother Sangwan, 38, said that his sister had no underlying health conditions. Earlier in the day she had done a video call with another sister. She wouldn't speak and was just waving the phone around when she called. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The local phu yai ban (a village leader) called Suthin said that the victim had returned to her room on the ground floor of a three story apartment block at 8 am after the night shift. He believed she was the victim of a crime though the room was locked from the inside. Investigations continue. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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

Ex husband arrives armed with a beer bottle - new husband kills him in a neck hold Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pluak Daeng police in Rayong, eastern Thailand, were called to a bungalow in Soi Dragon after a man was killed. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257297-ex-husband-arrives-armed-with-a-beer-bottle-new-husband-kills-him-in-a-neck-hold/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pluak Daeng police in Rayong, eastern Thailand, were called to a bungalow in Soi Dragon after a man was killed. Dead behind the house with a bruise on his neck was 45 year old Uthai. The body was sent for autopsy at Pluak Daeng hospital. Chaiya, 34, said that Uthai was his wife's former husband. He said that he arrived at his house just when he was on the phone to his wife. He was holding a beer bottle. He said that Uthai made to attack him after an argument but he was disarmed. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe However, the older man refused to give up and Chaiya said that he got him in a head lock to stop him attacking him further. But soon the victim was still and the police were called. The victim's mother and younger sister arrived and were deeply upset as a crowd gathered. Chaiya is helping police with their inquiries. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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

Current Public Debt to GDP Ratio Still Below Ceiling by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s public debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 60.17% as of February, with the figure expected to reach 62.7% by the end of fiscal 2022 - below the current ceiling of 70% of GDP. February GDP was 16.3 trillion baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257295-current-public-debt-to-gdp-ratio-still-below-ceiling/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s public debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 60.17% as of February, with the figure expected to reach 62.7% by the end of fiscal 2022 - below the current ceiling of 70% of GDP. February GDP was 16.3 trillion baht. Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat reiterated that the government has optimally managed the nation’s financial situation, with various measures implemented to assist people and especially vulnerable groups. He also said more policies will be revealed in due time. The deputy minister stressed that the government is not facing bankruptcy, but acknowledged there have been challenges due to the current COVID-19 situation pandemic and other global factors. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), meanwhile said the ratio of interest burden to the nation’s estimated annual revenue is projected to be 8% by the end of fiscal 2022. The figure is expected to remain below 10% - the international standard for the ratio - over the next five years. Patricia said Thailand must continue with an expansionary fiscal policy to support economic growth. She added that from 2015-2021, the government invested more than 2.6 trillion baht in 178 mega-projects covering transport, utilities and energy. The director-general noted that the PDMO developed the 2022-2026 public debt management plan to cater to the government’s expected spending of another 840 billion baht on mega-projects for that period. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-20 - 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

Number of Flights Increased 15% During Songkran Holiday Break by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Total nationwide flights increased 15% year-on-year over the Songkran long holiday period. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257293-number-of-flights-increased-15-during-songkran-holiday-break/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Total nationwide flights increased 15% year-on-year over the Songkran long holiday period. Nopasit Chakpitak, president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited (AEROTHAI), said it is normal to see a spike in flights during long holidays. This is especially true for Songkran, when people usually return to their hometowns to visit family members and then travel back to major cities for work. According to Nopasit, this year’s Songkran saw more than 8,500 flights over the seven-day period, averaging 1,220 flights a day. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The AEROTHAI president attributed the increase in the number of foreign travelers to the government’s decision to relax COVID-19 restrictions. He noted that the removal of the RT-PCR test requirement and reducing the number of quarantine days for arriving international visitors have tremendously contributed to the surge. He nevertheless projected that the number of international flights to Thailand will increase at a slow pace, due in part to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Nopasit also noted that the density of flights was 55% lower than during the pre-pandemic Songkran period. From April 11-17, the number of flights for the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports averaged 510, and 345 respectively. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-20 - 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

What a lot of cobras! Southern family was living over a potential army of deadly snakes Picture: Siam Rath The snake catchers were called in Bang Saphan, Nakhon Sri Thammarat in southern Thailand after a family found a large number of cobra eggs and four nests under their house. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257292-what-a-lot-of-cobras-southern-family-was-living-over-a-potential-army-of-deadly-snakes/

Picture: Siam Rath The snake catchers were called in Bang Saphan, Nakhon Sri Thammarat in southern Thailand after a family found a large number of cobra eggs and four nests under their house. Owner of the property Kamol, 39, told Siam Rath that a few days ago his wife was looking for a cat that had gone missing. She searched under the house in a darkened space and used a selfie stick to take a picture with flash in an area she couldn't reach. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath She was stunned that this showed many eggs and nests. It was lucky that a female snake did not lash out at her arm potentially giving her a lethal bite. Two rescue foundations turned up and found four nests containing 70 eggs, 64 of which were viable. One snake was captured. The eggs will be hatched and the snakes all returned to nature far from people. Had the snakes all hatched under the house it could have meant serious trouble for the owner of the property who is a coconut farmer. A rescue spokesman said that the snakes had fled flooding and the dry conditions with plenty of food led them to lay eggs in this area. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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 to Celebrate 240th Anniversary With Cultural Activities by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok is preparing a series of cultural events to commemorate the city’s 240th anniversary as the nation’s capital. The activities are intended to demonstrate the kingdom’s soft power, in addition to promoting cultural tourism and instilling civic pride among Thais and foreign tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257289-bangkok-to-celebrate-240th-anniversary-with-cultural-activities/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok is preparing a series of cultural events to commemorate the city’s 240th anniversary as the nation’s capital. The activities are intended to demonstrate the kingdom’s soft power, in addition to promoting cultural tourism and instilling civic pride among Thais and foreign tourists. The government said celebrations will be held to commemorate the city’s founding, which took place on April 21, 1782. Additionally, the events will commemorate King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty, as well as all monarchs of the Rattanakosin Era. Attendees will be offered a chance to learn more about Thai culture and history through unique activities and performances. The five-day celebration, taking place from April 20-24, also aims to promote Thailand’s soft power strategy, a goal set by the current administration to stimulate economic growth through the consumption of locally produced food and goods. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Officials said a series of events have been scheduled at a number of important landmarks throughout the capital, with a sacrificial offering ceremony at Bangkok City Pillar Shrine signifying the start of the event. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide complimentary shuttle bus services to and from each venue; however, attendees are advised to call its 1348 hotline to confirm pickup and drop-off locations. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), health safety measures will be strictly enforced at all venues to prevent the spread of COVID-19. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-20 - 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

Citizens' Arrest! Tricky gold shop robber nabbed by the public Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that neighbors in Sampran, Nakhon Pathom, foiled a gold shop robbery by a young woman. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257288-citizens-arrest-tricky-gold-shop-robber-nabbed-by-the-public/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that neighbors in Sampran, Nakhon Pathom, foiled a gold shop robbery by a young woman. Ms Pakawan, 24, had arrived on a PCX motorcycle at the Orawan gold shop in Muang district and said she wanted to look at gold necklaces. She left the store at 1 pm and then came back at 2.20 pm. This time she had a ruse. She dropped a five baht weight necklace (worth 157,000 baht) on the floor then while out of sight replaced it with a fake gold necklace. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath However, owner 66 year old Orawan Phonwattana noticed immediately. Pakawan, a local woman, fled the store but was stopped 400 meters away as locals chased her and made a citizens' arrest. Despite the fact there was ample CCTV evidence, it took five hours of interrogation before the suspect admitted what she had done. She was charged with snatch theft and is now in the custody of the Samran police. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-20 - 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

Koh Nok Phao - Pristine beaches, great seafood and an unusual spit entice visitors Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported from the south of Thailand where an unusual coastal phenomenon on an island is attracting tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257287-koh-nok-phao-pristine-beaches-great-seafood-and-an-unusual-spit-entice-visitors/