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by Krajangwit Johjit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that the "Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations" event will bring in nearly 459,000 Thai and foreign tourists and generate up to 1.8 billion baht in revenue. As part of the ’Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that the event, which is organized in accordance with the government’s safety measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, aims to promote safety tourism, preserve Thai traditions, and allow tourists to gain new travel experiences. The Amazing Songkran festival continues until April 17 at ten temples in Bangkok: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Rakang, Wat Suthat, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket, and Wat Ratchabophit. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The event features water offerings to Buddha statues, an augmented reality photo corner, and lucky draws. Special performances, including the Khon masked dance, Thai-style antiphon singing, Thai puppet shows, and demonstrations of authentic Thai dessert making and fruit carving, have also been scheduled at Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the TAT governor stated that eventgoers will be given a temperature check and are required to strictly adhere to the mask-wearing and social distancing rules. He added that water splashing, powder smearing, or alcohol consumption are also prohibited at all venues. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-15 - 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

Lively Songkran holidays in Koh Samui - 2022 kicks 2021 into touch! Picture: Thai Rath A tour operator in Koh Samui who arranges day trips to islands said that 80% of their business was back this Songkran. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256862-lively-songkran-holidays-in-koh-samui- -2022-kicks-2021-into-touch/

Picture: Thai Rath A tour operator in Koh Samui who arranges day trips to islands said that 80% of their business was back this Songkran. Saowaluck Muksong told Thai Rath that they were doing a roaring trade with Thai and foreign tourists and their families going on trips. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath She praised the government for easing restrictions on foreign tourism and said it was great news for the tourism industry. The media also went to Big Buddha where they found plenty of tourists. And where a batik trader called Darin confirmed that 2022 Songkran was knocking spots off the 2021 version. Picture: Thai Rath ASEAN NOW notes that the holiday island has suffered terribly during two years of the pandemic. Only now is the tourism industry starting to show signs of recovery from more mainstream, rather than sandbox, tourists. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Pattaya: Police chief calls on attacks on tourists to stop - resort's image badly damaged Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pattaya's image as a tourist resort had been badly damaged after a melee involving foreign tourists and bouncers on Wednesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256861-pattaya-police-chief-calls-on-attacks-on-tourists-to-stop-resorts-image-badly-damaged/

Pattaya: Police chief calls on attacks on tourists to stop - resort's image badly damaged Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported that Pattaya's image as a tourist resort had been badly damaged after a melee involving foreign tourists and bouncers on Wednesday. It happened late at night after closing in Soi Bua Khao. A group of foreign tourists on motorcycles were arguing and a group of bouncers went into stop trouble, or so they claimed. In the end CCTV caught them causing it as fists flayed. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath A Thai lady called Waranya Sikasri, 34, had taken an injured Italian tourist called Vincenzo C. to file a report after he was attacked. Yesterday Pattaya police cheif Pol Col Kulachart Kulachai called on attacks on tourists to stop, reported Siam Rath. Picture: Siam Rath He promised that he would maintain order in the resort and issued assault charges against those involved. The Thai media said it was time for good pictures to present Thailand in a good light - not these damaging images of violence especially at a time like Songkran. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Water guns confiscated as Thai police prevent Songkran splashing at Khao San Road Picture: Daily News Most Thai media were at Bangkok's Khao San road yesterday - the second day of the Songkran festival, the new year in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256859-water-guns-confiscated-as-thai-police-prevent-songkran-splashing-at-khao-san-road/

Picture: Daily News Most Thai media were at Bangkok's Khao San Road yesterday - the second day of the Songkran festival, the new year in Thailand. This followed scenes on Wednesday when foreign and Thai tourists engaged in water fights contrary to regulations. Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath said that the police and district authorities were determined to stop tourists playing with water as it represented a chance for Covid-19 spread. Phra Nakhon district official Wasan Bunmeunwai went to the tourist street with Chana Songkram station policemen as both ends of the street were tightly monitored. Picture: Thai Rath Crowds gathered and people were checked for mask wearing and to make sure they had no water guns. Daily News reported that late last night Lt-Gen Torsak Sukwimol and met chief Lt-Gen Samran Nuanma were in Khao San Road to ensure their crackdown was effective. Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath reported no water guns were allowed - they had a picture of a large number of local officials lined up ready for action. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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: Thai Rath Picture: Thai Rath Picture: Daily News Picture: Thai Rath Picture;:Thai Rath

Thailand reports year-high record total of 119 new COVID-19 deaths File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256847-thailand-reports year-high-record total-of-119-new-covid-19-deaths/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports year-high record total of 119 new COVID-19 deaths File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256847-thailand-reports year-high-record total-of-119-new-covid-19-deaths/

File photo Thailand on Friday (April 15) reported 20,289 new COVID-19 cases, 24,969 recoveries and 119 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,993,292 with 26,629 deaths. The news comes as authorities have confirmed they have not found any cases of Omicron sub-variant BA.4 and BA.5 infections in Thailand. The Ramathibodi Hospital’s Center for Medical Genomics (CMG) said that the World Health Organization (WHO) is now monitoring six Omicron subvariants which are BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5. According to the CMG, the BA.2 sub-variant is responsible for 94 percent of Omicron infections worldwide and has replaced the BA.1 strain as the dominant strain in Thailand.** **NNT contributed to this report Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - 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

Availability of land makes Phetchaburi a favourite for Thailand’s first legal casino By Online Reporter File photo Phetchaburi has become a surprising front runner as the possible location for Thailand’s first legal casino-entertainment complex. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256838-availability-of-land-makes-phetchaburi-a-favourite-for-thailand’s-first-legal-casino/

File photo By Online Reporter Phetchaburi has become a surprising front runner as the possible location for Thailand’s first legal casino-entertainment complex. Currently, Thailand’s lower house of parliament is weighing up proposals to open a casino-entertainment complex as a way to attract more foreign tourists, boost the economy and generate extra revenue for the government. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe For decades, various Thai governments have been toying with the idea of legalising gambling, but the casino-entertainment complex proposal is arguably the most significant step towards legal gambling in Thailand. In December last year, MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of setting up a committee to review the proposal and look into the possibility of opening a casino in Thailand. The findings are set to be presented to the Cabinet for its consideration within the next month. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/availability-of-land-makes-phetchaburi-a-favourite-for-thailands-first-legal-casino/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-15 - 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

UPDATE: Minister proposes that vaccinated tourists fly in without notice from May 1st to boost the economy by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday that his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would propose the scrapping of both the ‘Test and Go’ scheme and the Thailand Pass application from May 1st at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on April 22nd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256792-ccsa-to-consider-proposal-to-suspend-test-go-and-thailand-pass/?do=findComment&comment=17305793

Minister proposes that vaccinated tourists fly in without notice from May 1st to boost the economy by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday that his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would propose the scrapping of both the ‘Test and Go’ scheme and the Thailand Pass application from May 1st at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on April 22nd. It comes as new data suggests Thailand is falling behind its peers in Southeast Asia with consequent damage to the country’s valuable foreign tourism industry. Thailand’s foreign tourism industry is not expected to make a full recovery until 2026 according to Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput as the Asia Pacific region lags behind the rest of the world in ramping up its travel industry from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, 55% of air travellers in the region are from either North America or Europe with an even higher percentage of tourists. The government may be on the verge of abolishing the Thailand Pass application as well as the ‘Test and Go’ scheme if a proposal by the minister finds favour at a meeting on April 22nd next of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). This comes as data supplied by ForwardKeys, a travel industry intelligence firm, shows the kingdom’s lucrative foreign tourism industry is under threat from Southeast Asian rivals because of the government’s stringent controls in response to the pandemic. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports said on Wednesday that his ministry, in association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), would table a proposal with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at its next meeting on April 22nd to urgently scrap the country’s Test and Go regime for vaccinated travellers as well as the Thailand Pass scheme and replace it by allowing passengers to fly in directly to the kingdom while only showing their vaccine passports or proof of vaccination. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/14/tourists-to-fly-in-without-notice-from-may/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

One teen dead, three others injured after sedan crashes into a motorbike sidecar in the Pattaya area By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – One teenage woman was pronounced dead at the scene while three other teenagers have sustained injuries after a sedan crashed into a motorbike sidecar in Banglamung. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256837-one-teen-dead-three-others-injured-after-sedan-crashes-into-a-motorbike-sidecar-in-the-pattaya-area/

By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – One teenage woman was pronounced dead at the scene while three other teenagers have sustained injuries after a sedan crashed into a motorbike sidecar in Banglamung last night (April 13th). Emergency responders were notified of the accident at 8:00 P.M. on a road near the Mapprachan Reservoir in the Pong sub-district. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The first response teams arrived at the scene to find the damaged sedan on the side of the road. The driver, who had sustained serious injuries, had already been taken to a local hospital. The driver was not identified by relevant agencies. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/14/one-teen-dead-three-others-injured-after-sedan-crashes-into-a-motorbike-sidecar-in-the-pattaya-area/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-15 - 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

American man allegedly attacked by foreigner and Thai on Pattaya Walking Street By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – An American man was allegedly attacked by a foreigner and a Thai woman over the past weekend on Pattaya Walking Street, according to a police report made by the alleged victim and released by Pattaya police. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256836-american-man-allegedly-attacked-by-foreigner-and-thai-on-pattaya-walking-street/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – An American man was allegedly attacked by a foreigner and a Thai woman over the past weekend on Pattaya Walking Street, according to a police report made by the alleged victim and released by Pattaya police. On Wednesday, April 13th, Mr. Aaron L. J.(last name withheld), 55, an American national, filed a report to the Pattaya City Police. Pattaya police released the information to the local Pattaya press yesterday evening, April 14th, 2022. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. J. told police on Saturday (April 9th) at 11:30 P.M. he was on Pattaya Walking Street. Mr. J. said he was waiting to meet a female friend (who wasn’t identified) he had texted in front of a popular Walking Street live music venue when a foreign man and a Thai woman suddenly pushed him down before attacking him. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/15/american-man-allegedly-attacked-by-foreigner-and-thai-on-pattaya-walking-street/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Is a dry Songkran good or bad news for Thailand? by Michael Bridge file photo Songkran, also known as the Water Splashing Festival, is an age-old celebration to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year. Buddha images are bathed, and younger Thais show respect to monks and elders by sprinkled water over their hands. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256835-is-a-dry-songkran-good-or-bad-news-for-thailand/

file photo by Michael Bridge Songkran, also known as the Water Splashing Festival, is an age-old celebration to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year. Buddha images are bathed, and younger Thais show respect to monks and elders by sprinkled water over their hands. However, over the years the Thai traditional Songkran festival held every April has been taken over by tourists, expats, and younger Thais, as an excuse to drench everyone in sight and drink the days away. Most provinces held the festival over three days, however Pattaya decided to hold theirs over a 10-day period to boost tourism. On the last day, the city usually came to a standstill as over 500,000 converged on Pattaya for an almighty water fight. Songkran celebrations will go ahead after a two-year hiatus due to Covid; the government has said while adding that health and safety measures will still need to be followed. This year the Thai government has said people may still celebrate Songkran however without all the water splashing. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe file photo Although they tried to start a water battle in Bangla Road in Phuket, authorities have now put a halt to it. I for one have enjoyed the fun in the past drenching friends, however in the past for ten days central Pattaya was a no-go area, unless you wanted to run the gauntlet. I am sure it was the same in parts of Bangkok or Phuket. However, if the weather continues to remain hot, expect some folks will need to cool off with a few buckets of icy water, especially in the rural provinces. It may be unwelcome news for the hospitality industry that had hoped for an influx of foreign tourists, however, for many residents, it is a relief not to have to get out the waterproofs. Enjoy your dry holiday! -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-15 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

to continue: Thailand Live Friday 15 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1256834-thailand-live-friday-15-april-2022/

Health Officials Confirm No BA.4 and BA.5 Cases Found in Thailand BANGKOK (NNT) - Authorities have confirmed they have not found any cases of Omicron sub-variant BA.4 and BA.5 infections in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256793-health-officials-confirm-no-ba4-and-ba5-cases-found-in-thailand/

113 people die on Thai roads in first 3 days of Thailand’s Songkran festival 113 people have died and 853 others have been injured in 869 road accidents since Monday, during the first three days of this year’s Songkran festival, according to the Department of Public Disasters Prevention and Mitigation. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256790-113-people-die-on-thai-roads-in-first-3-days-of-thailand’s-songkran-festival/

CCSA to Consider Proposal to Suspend Test & Go and Thailand Pass BANGKOK (NNT) - A proposal to suspend the Test & Go scheme and Thailand Pass registration will be submitted to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) after the Songkran holidays to boost the tourism industry. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256792-ccsa-to-consider-proposal-to-suspend-test-go-and-thailand-pass/

Thai PM says everyone must strictly comply with water splashing restriction Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned everyone, including tourists and business operators, that they must strictly comply with the Songkran water splashing restriction, said Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana today. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256776-thai-pm-says-everyone-must-strictly-comply-with-water-splashing-restriction/