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Thai Tourism Industry Hopes for More Chinese Travelers in October by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai tourism industry is hoping to see more Chinese visitors during Golden Week in October. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257200-thai-tourism-industry-hopes-for-more-chinese-travelers-in-october/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai tourism industry is hoping to see more Chinese visitors during Golden Week in October. Every year, China National Day is celebrated on October 1 to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Chinese nationals enjoy a 7-day holiday from October 1-7, known as Golden Week. Vichit Prakobgosol, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said that if the Thai government is able to fully reopen the country within the second quarter, the Kingdom would still have a chance to attract at least 5 million international tourists during the second half of 2022. He reiterated that the sooner Thailand fully reopens, the more competitive it will be as a tourist destination. Furthermore, if China lifts additional international travel restrictions for its citizens in the fourth quarter, the total number of foreign tourists to the kingdom could reach 7-8 million by year-end. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Vichit also projected that Thailand would regain 70% of its pre-pandemic tourist numbers next year and 100% by 2024. The vice president noted, however, that many travel businesses have been unable to resume operations due to financial shortcomings. He added that since the pandemic, tourists have begun traveling in smaller groups, participating in more free-form tourism programs, and prioritizing relaxation activities. They have also been spending extended periods of time within hotel grounds and developing an affinity for specific urban restaurants. These shifts in travel habits pose further challenges for tour operators whose business models are based around large groups and scheduled programs, as well as shopping and dining in suburban areas. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-19 - 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

Six-Lane Road Linking Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao Now Operational by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bang Pu-Bang Pakong road linking Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces is now fully operational. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257198-six-lane-road-linking-samut-prakan-and-chachoengsao-now-operational/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bang Pu-Bang Pakong road linking Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces is now fully operational. The 28.75 km road was given a facelift, expanding its width from two lanes to six. The 2.1 billion baht construction project is expected to greatly facilitate domestic logistics, especially within the Eastern Economic Corridor encompassing Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao. Several factories located along the road will also likely benefit from its expansion, as it provides an additional logistical route for delivering goods between Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok. According to the Department of Highways, the project was deemed necessary due to the route seeing increased traffic in recent years. The expanded route also aligns with government efforts to make Thailand the logistics hub of ASEAN, while reducing travel costs and time as well as improving safety for motorists. It is also expected to help alleviate traffic jams, particularly during long holidays. The Department of Highways said it hopes the newly renovated road will greatly improve the quality of life for residents in the Eastern region. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-19 - 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

Thailand, along with 88 other countries, removed from US ‘Don’t Travel’ list The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed Thailand and 88 other countries from its “Do Not Travel” list, effective today (Tuesday). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257197-thailand-along-with-88-other-countries-removed-from-us-‘don’t-travel’-list/

The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed Thailand and 88 other countries from its “Do Not Travel” list, effective today (Tuesday). Thailand is now categorised as Level 3, or a country with a “high” level of COVID-19. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated are still advised not to travel to Level 3 countries, but the warning does not apply to fully vaccinated visitors. Travellers with weakened immune systems are also urged to check with doctors before visiting. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Countries with a low level of COVID-19 are categorised as Level 1, while countries with a moderate level are classified as Level 2. Currently, there are no countries categorised as Level 4, which will now be reserved for special circumstances, where countries see a dangerous spike in COVID-19 cases, a new COVID-19 variant or a collapse of their health care infrastructure. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-along-with-88-other-countries-removed-from-us-dont-travel-list/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-19 - 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

Thailand Aims to Establish Product Distribution Center in China by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese state enterprise sector to establish a Thai product distribution center in China. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257196-thailand-aims-to-establish-product-distribution-center-in-china/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese state enterprise sector to establish a Thai product distribution center in China. Kriangsak Prateepvisarut, director of the Thai Public Warehouse Organization (PWO), revealed that the signing ceremony will soon be held in the city of Guangzhou. He explained that the center will allow Thai exporters to deposit their goods, which will then be distributed to other cities in China. Additionally, the PWO will seek partnerships to distribute Thai items on Chinese online shopping platforms. The move is intended to broaden the distribution channel for Thai goods and bring in additional revenue. The new distribution center will be the second of its kind, following the PWO’s collaboration with Myanmar’s Maha Shwe Ngwe Company Limited on the first. Kraingsak said the PWO aims to build additional distribution facilities in regions such as India and the Middle East. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Domestically, the PWO is looking to establish warehouses for agricultural and livestock products in Krabi, Phatthalung, the northeastern provinces, and the three southern border provinces. Furthermore, the PWO plans to increase the capacity of the Rat Burana Warehouse to 50,000 metric tons, making it the biggest cold storage facility in Bangkok. The move is projected to net the PWO at least 400 million baht in annual revenue. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-19 - 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

No vote but strong opinions: Bangkok expats ponder governor election Most expatriates in Bangkok have no right to vote in the May 22 gubernatorial election, yet the outcome affects their everyday lives just as much as those of other residents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257194-no-vote-but-strong-opinions-bangkok-expats-ponder-governor-election/

Most expatriates in Bangkok have no right to vote in the May 22 gubernatorial election, yet the outcome affects their everyday lives just as much as those of other residents. The quality of life in this city of around 10 million residents relies on how effectively the governor and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deal with the Big Mango’s big challenges, including traffic congestion, waste disposal, pollution, and flooding. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Certainly, the Bangkok governor and the BMA alone have insufficient authority and money for large infrastructure projects — so they need to cooperate with the central government and relevant state agencies. Thai PBS World talks to long-term expats in Bangkok about their views on candidates and their policy platforms, as well as what the next governor should do to make the Thai capital a better home for its residents. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/no-vote-but-strong-opinions-bangkok-expats-ponder-governor-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-19 - 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

Democrat party leader offers public apology over sexual abuse controversy Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party Leader Jurin Laksanawisit offered a public apology this morning (Tuesday) over the sexual abuse scandal implicating its former deputy leader, Prinn Panitchpakdi, and announced his resignation as chair of two national committees on gender equality and women’s policies. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257193-democrat-party-leader-offers-public-apology-over-sexual-abuse-controversy/

Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party Leader Jurin Laksanawisit offered a public apology this morning (Tuesday) over the sexual abuse scandal implicating its former deputy leader, Prinn Panitchpakdi, and announced his resignation as chair of two national committees on gender equality and women’s policies. “As leader of the Democrat party, I am profoundly sorry and take this opportunity to apologise for everything that has happened concerning one of the party’s personnel,” said Jurin during a press conference at the party’s head office. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe As head of the party, who had a key role in bringing Prinn into the party and, even though the latter’s admission to the party had gone through the executive committee and was approved by the general assembly of the party, he said that he cannot dodge the responsibility and must try to resolve the problem. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/democrat-party-leader-offers-public-apology-over-sexual-abuse-controversy/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-19 - 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

Nine vehicle collision in the rain on Nakhon-In Road, Nonthaburi Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that there was a nine vehicle mostly concertina collision after heavy rain in the Nonthaburi area on Nakhon-In Road. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257191-nine-vehicle-collision-in-the-rain-on-nakhon-in-road-nonthaburi/

Picture: 77kaoded 77kaoded reported that there was a nine vehicle mostly concertina collision after heavy rain in the Nonthaburi area on Nakhon-In Road. It was expected to take the authorities an hour before traffic was flowing again at the tail end of yesterday's evening rush hour. Cars and pick-ups were involved. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: 77kaoded One lady in a Mazda aged 29 said she was driving from the the Rama 5 bridge and there was heavy rain so she was going slowly but someone else swerving to avoid the pile-up went into her path. Bangsri Muang police are dealing with the aftermath in which five cars were badly damaged. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-19 - 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: 77kaoded Picture: 77kaoded Picture: 77kaoded

Anutin heads to Ranong to promote medical marijuana Picture: INN Thai DPM and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will be heading south this week on the latest leg of his nationwide tour to promote his baby, medical marijuana. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257189-anutin-heads-to-ranong-to-promote-medical-marijuana/

Picture: INN Thai DPM and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will be heading south this week on the latest leg of his nationwide tour to promote his baby, medical marijuana. Ranong health official Dr Norathep Assawapachara said the minister would be in the southern Thai province at the Pichai Rattanakhun school in Muang District on Friday. His visit has created widespread interest in the southern provinces around Ranong where there is already interest in growing marijuana for medical purposes, reported INN. As in other events recently in the north east of Thailand there will be workshops at the event showing how to grow hemp and marijuana as well as it being a showcase for products. Those products include something called "Giant Rarerng Kan" that the minister will be encouraged to add condiments to. It's a play on having fun together and the first syllable of ganja in Thai. More familiar among the products will be Ganja Cookies. Less familiar are Marijuana Steamed Buns (salapao ganja) and "Cannabis Love Water" (nam rak 'gan'). But the reality is that while the products may be tasty no one will be getting 'happy'. Only plants containing 0.2% THC - the drug that makes users stoned - can be grown legally in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-19 - 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

Fourteen women file sexual abuse complaints against ex-Democrat Prinn To date, fourteen alleged victims of sexual abuse have lodged complaints with Lumpini police against former Democrat party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, in Thailand’s most high-profile “Me Too” case so far. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257187-fourteen-women-file-sexual-abuse-complaints-against-ex-democrat-prinn/

To date, fourteen alleged victims of sexual abuse have lodged complaints with Lumpini police against former Democrat party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, in Thailand’s most high-profile “Me Too” case so far. Seven of the complaints were filed yesterday (Monday) alone. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to the police, all 14 women insist that they did not know each other previously but, after being allegedly sexually abused, they felt dehumanised until they decided to come forward to the police. Most of the alleged sexual abuse took place in recent years, with one case, a 43-year-old woman, alleging that she was assaulted by Prinn about 15 years ago, while they were both working in the same building in Bangkok. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/fourteen-women-file-sexual-abuse-complaints-against-ex-democrat-prinn/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-19 - 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

"Ms Riddle" mystified: Thai lady gets lunch instead of an iPhone! Sanook Thai Caption: She ordered an iPhone - and got tinned fish Sanook reporters hotfooted it to a flat in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi after hearing that a woman got a surprise package. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257186-ms-riddle-mystified-thai-lady-gets-lunch-instead-of-an-iphone/

Sanook Thai Caption: She ordered an iPhone - and got tinned fish Sanook reporters hotfooted it to a flat in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi after hearing that a woman got a surprise package. Prisana, 34, - whose name means riddle or mystery - said that she was very excited when she saw on Facebook a great deal for a second hand iPhone. Just 350 baht, money back if not delighted guarantee. But when the package arrived through the post it contained tinned fish. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Sanook And two very cheap phone chargers worth 20 baht each. She suspected that the post office were in cahoots with the company who had promised a great product with a money back guarantee if it was not a phone. The post office have since paid her back. But she was left mystified and disappointed by the experience. And warned others to check products carefully before ordering online. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-19 - 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

"No chase" say police as woman smashes into ex cop's house after turning back at checkpoint Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a woman driver died after plowing through a wall at a house in Saensuk district of Chonburi. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257185-no-chase-say-police-as-woman-smashes-into-ex-cops-house-after-turning-back-at-checkpoint/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that a woman driver died after plowing through a wall at a house in Saensuk district of Chonburi. Police had set up a checkpoint on Khaolam Road but the female driver turned round and headed down Mitsamphan Road. She crashed into the home of a retired policeman called Sombun, 65. He said that the woman's mother had offered to pay for the damage. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath Saensuk chief Pol Col Pattana Rorproo told the media over the phone that the woman had failed to stop but there had been no chase. She had fled the checkpoint with her lights turned off yesterday evening. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-19 - 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

Couple return home after Songkran trip to discover 10 million baht robbery from safe Picture: Siam Rath A married couple in Bangkok have gone to the Huay Khwang police after a ten million baht burglary at their home. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1257184-couple-return-home-after-songkran-trip-to-discover-10-million-baht-robbery-from-safe/

Picture: Siam Rath A married couple in Bangkok have gone to the Huay Khwang police after a ten million baht burglary at their home. Juthasit was following up with the police yesterday after arriving back in Bangkok with his wife Wannida following a Songkran trip to Chonburi. A safe had been dragged into their second floor bedroom at a house in Soi Ratchadaniwet 9 and been forced open via the back. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath The safe contained 60 baht weight in gold jewelry, 90 baht weight in gold bars, 4.5 million baht in diamond jewelry and three Rolex watches and a Tag Heuer watch. It all came to 10.35 million baht, reported Siam Rath. The owner said that the only people who knew where the safe was were the people who installed it. Even relatives did not know of its existence. In addition valuable items downstairs at the house were not touched. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-19 - 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: Siam Rath Picture: Siam Rath