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TAT Organizes Songkran Festivities in Major Cities BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing "Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations" at ten temples in Bangkok, as well as the "Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022" in Ayutthaya and Songkhla. Events will also take place in Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan and other major cities throughout the kingdom. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256569-tat-organizes-songkran-festivities-in-major-cities/

Songkran’s ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ begin with a spike in road deaths By Erich Parpart The first day of Songkran’s notorious “Seven Dangerous Days” saw 237 road accidents and 328 drunk drivers arrested, the authorities said on Tuesday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256536-songkran’s-‘seven-dangerous-days’-begin-with-a-spike-in-road-deaths/

By Erich Parpart The first day of Songkran’s notorious “Seven Dangerous Days” saw 237 road accidents and 328 drunk drivers arrested, the authorities said on Tuesday. Traffic collisions are expected to spike from April 11-17 as people travel back to their hometowns for the Songkran holiday. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Songkran has gained notoriety for road accidents as so many people are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs and many choose to speed. On Monday, 26 people were killed, 238 were injured from 237 road accidents, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) announced. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39382/songkrans-seven-dangerous-days-begins-with-spike-in-road-deaths/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-04-12 - 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

Four candidates disqualified in Bangkok governor, city councillor elections The Bangkok Election Commission has disqualified one Bangkok gubernatorial election candidate and three city councillor candidates after finding that their qualifications do not meet the legal requirements. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256533-four-candidates-disqualified-in-bangkok-governor-city-councillor-elections/

The Bangkok Election Commission has disqualified one Bangkok gubernatorial election candidate and three city councillor candidates after finding that their qualifications do not meet the legal requirements. Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Khachit Chatchavanich, in his capacity as director of local elections in Bangkok, named the four disqualified candidates as: Kraidaj Bunnag, a prospective candidate for Bangkok gubernatorial election. Background checks show that he is the owner, publisher, advertiser and editor of an entertainment magazine, which is against Section 50 (3) of the local council and local administrator election laws. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/four-candidates-disqualified-in-bangkok-governor-city-councillor-elections/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-12 - 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

NACC Investigates Landholdings of Dozens of MPs by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has said it is investigating the landholdings of approximately 60 members of parliament on a case-by-case basis. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256531-nacc-investigates-landholdings-of-dozens-of-mps/

by Paul Rujopakarn BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has said it is investigating the landholdings of approximately 60 members of parliament on a case-by-case basis. According to NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, the commission is currently looking into land ownership in the declaration of assets and liabilities submitted by approximately 50-60 MPs. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe On Monday (11 Apr), Activist Srisuwan Janya delivered a letter to the NACC, urging it to expedite an investigation into the state land ownership of 18 MPs, particularly plots that have been allocated to poor and landless farmers for agricultural use. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-12 - 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

Motorbike driver dies after being run over by truck in Ban Bueng By Goong Nang(GN) Ban Bueng – A female motorbike driver has been pronounced dead at the scene after she was run over by a truck in the Ban Bueng district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256529-motorbike-driver-dies-after-being-run-over-by-truck-in-ban-bueng/

By Goong Nang(GN) Ban Bueng – A female motorbike driver has been pronounced dead at the scene after she was run over by a truck in the Ban Bueng district. The Ban Bueng Police were notified of the accident over the past weekend at the Ban Bueng-Pattaya Intersection. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of Ms. Jantaras Memak, 47. Nearby, response teams found the damaged motorbike and a helmet lying on the pavement. It was unclear if the helmet was being worn by Jantaras during the accident and came off or if the helmet had been unused. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/12/motorbike-driver-dies-after-being-run-over-by-truck-in-ban-bueng/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-12 - 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

Cross-Border Haze Shrouds the Northeast BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – Smoke haze from Laos raised the levels of PM2.5 sharply in the Northeast while the fine dust exceeded its safe threshold in 34 provinces this morning, according to the Pollution Control Department. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256527-cross-border-haze-shrouds-the-northeast/

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – Smoke haze from Laos raised the levels of PM2.5 sharply in the Northeast while the fine dust exceeded its safe threshold in 34 provinces this morning, according to the Pollution Control Department. Attapon Charoenchansa, director-general of the department, said inbound smoke haze from the neighboring country was affecting the Northeast. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Air quality will be good in greater Bangkok and moderate in the North during the Songkran festival but particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5) may thicken on April 18 and 19 when air is expected to be stagnant. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-921791 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-04-12 - 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

2U Measures to Fight COVID during Songkran BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – The Ministry of Public Health encouraged people to use 2U measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 during the Songkran festival and also shortened the quarantine of high-risk people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256525-2u-measures-to-fight-covid-during-songkran/

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – The Ministry of Public Health encouraged people to use 2U measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 during the Songkran festival and also shortened the quarantine of high-risk people. Elaborating on 2U measures, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said they referred to “universal protection” and “universal vaccination”. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Universal protection means using face masks; distancing from elderly people, young children and those with underlying illnesses; refraining from joining meals; and self-cleanup before meeting elderly relatives. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-921777 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-04-12 - 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

Rescued in Nakhon Nayok - teen who went on river trip without a life jacket Rescue workers called to the Sarika area of Nakhon Nayok in central Thailand yesterday afternoon/evening spent an hour searching for a missing 15 year old girl. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256523-rescued-in-nakhon-nayok-teen-who-went-on-river-trip-without-a-life-jacket/

Rescue workers called to the Sarika area of Nakhon Nayok in central Thailand yesterday afternoon/evening spent an hour searching for a missing 15 year old girl. The teen was washed away by a surprise flow of water while using rubber rings with relatives. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe One male managed to get to safety but the girl did not and was eventually found further downriver on a midriver bank, reported Daily News. She had not been wearing a life jacket. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-12 - 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

Video: Watch how thief puts a PIT BULL into the passenger seat of a pick-up and drives off! Sanook Thai Caption: Looking for Pangpang Si Khio police in Nakhon Ratchasima, NE Thailand, are on the case after a Pit Bull terrier was stolen from a stonemason's on the Mitraphap Highway heading south out of Korat on Saturday night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256522-video-watch-how-thief-puts-a-pit-bull-into-the-passenger-seat-of-a-pick-up-and-drives-off/

Sanook Thai Caption: Looking for Pangpang Si Khio police in Nakhon Ratchasima, NE Thailand, are on the case after a Pit Bull terrier was stolen from a stonemason's on the Mitraphap Highway heading south out of Korat on Saturday night. Sanook reporters went to meet the dog owner whose name is Siriyon, 42. He said that he bought his pit bull as a four month old puppy and he was now 11 months. He described him as a bit "ting tong" (mildly crazy). This certainly didn't mean violent. Siriyon told how Pangpang would meet customers to the stonemason's and was a gentle dog. He was beloved by all the family to the point of being another son. Siriyon said he always let Pangpang out at night. But on Sunday morning he was nowhere to be found so eventually the CCTV was checked. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe It showed a man in a pick-up entice Pangpang with some food then pick him up and load him into the front passenger seat. The police's job has been aided by the fact that after the theft the pick-up driver went to a convenience store at a gas station and used a loyalty card. This gave the cops his phone number, name and age, 41. They called him and he said he had dumped the dog in Pak Chong as he was heading for Bangkok. Police dismissed this as nonsense. Sanook also reported that before ringing off the alleged thief had said that he thought the pit bull was a stray. The hunt for the Pit Bull pincher continues. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-12 - 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

Opinion: Thailand needed national shame to reorganize airport mayhem By Panithan Onthaworn After a famous Thai Youtuber exposed to the world how lost tourists were at the airport upon their arrival in Thailand, causing national shame overnight, it took just a day for officials to address the issue. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256500-bangkok-airport-passengers-up-to-10kday-after-test-easing-crowds-at-suvarnabhumi-prompt-action/?do=findComment&comment=17300502

Opinion: Thailand needed national shame to reorganize airport mayhem By Panithan Onthaworn After a famous Thai Youtuber exposed to the world how lost tourists were at the airport upon their arrival in Thailand, causing national shame overnight, it took just a day for officials to address the issue. Even worse, the officials claimed the photos of the crowded airport hallway were taken during rush hours, when most passengers were arriving. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe More travelers entered the kingdom this month as the government removed the mandatory pre-arrival RT-PCR test certificate under the Test and Go scheme. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39369/opinion-thailand-needed-national-shame-to-reorganize-airport-mayhem/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-04-12 - 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

Carnage on the Thai roads: You ain't seen nothing yet says official as DUI is blamed Picture: Siam Rath Chief of the probation department Witawan Sunthornkhajit was in upbeat but realistic mood ahead of the so called "seven deadly days" on the infamous Thai roads at Songkran. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256517-carnage-on-the-thai-roads-you-aint-seen-nothing-yet-says-official-as-dui-is-blamed/

Picture: Siam Rath Chief of the probation department Witawan Sunthornkhajit was in upbeat but realistic mood ahead of the so called "seven deadly days" on the infamous Thai roads at Songkran. He said that it was true that road accident fatalities in 2021 had fallen but much of that can be put down to the pandemic, closure of clubs and pubs, a lot of checkpoints, non-existent Songkran and New Year holidays coupled with much fewer people travelling. He warned there was a high chance of this year being worse whether it was figures for the Songkran holidays or the year in general. Key to having an impact on the deathtoll is addressing DUI. With the backing of justice minister Somsak Thepsuthin the probation department would be issuing EM or electric monitoring bracelets to offenders again this year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The message at an event outside Fortune Town in downtown Bangkok yesterday was drive safely so there will be less accidents. One picture published by Siam Rath showed Witawan and a local cop painting a kerb. Behind them was a placard saying in Thai "Mao Mai Khap" - Don't drink and drive. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-12 - 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

Delivery driver lives after 10 meter plunge from expressway Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath called it a miracle survival when a 26 year old delivery driver of a six wheel truck survived a ten meter plunge from the Suksawat expressway in southern Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256512-delivery-driver-lives-after-10-meter-plunge-from-expressway/

Picture: Siam Rath Siam Rath called it a miracle survival when a 26 year old delivery driver of a six wheel truck survived a ten meter plunge from the Suksawat expressway in southern Bangkok. Amphol had broken down at KM9+700m heading towards Rama 2 and parked on the left hard shoulder. His vehicle was hit by the trailer of a 22 wheel truck driven by Pornchai, 3 whose rig was stopped 1 kilometer away. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Siam Rath Poh Teck Tung helped Amphol to hospital with serious injuries. He had to be rescued from a grassy area meaning that a wall of a luxury estate that abuts the area had to be demolished. Police are studying CCTV and talking to the truck/trailer driver to help inform their investigation. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-12 - 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

Mini-FTA Signed With India’s Telangana State; China’s Gansu Next in Line by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The export sector has been a key driver of Thailand’s economy, even more so during the ongoing pandemic. The Ministry of Commerce has been implementing a policy of in-depth trade cooperation between Thailand and second-tier cities, to drive exports via mini-FTAs. Thailand has now inked its third mini-FTA, this time with India’s Telangana State, to better access the market of 40 million people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256510-mini-fta-signed-with-india’s-telangana-state-china’s-gansu-next-in-line/

by Namo Vananupong BANGKOK (NNT) - The export sector has been a key driver of Thailand’s economy, even more so during the ongoing pandemic. The Ministry of Commerce has been implementing a policy of in-depth trade cooperation between Thailand and second-tier cities, to drive exports via mini-FTAs. Thailand has now inked its third mini-FTA, this time with India’s Telangana State, to better access the market of 40 million people. Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit, acted as Thailand’s representative in signing the mini-FTA. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries & Commerce Department of the Telangana government, represented Telangana State. The 1-year agreement will facilitate the exchange of markets-related information and trade connectivity, for products such as medicines, IT goods, and furniture. The agreement is also expected to bolster business connectivity, cooperation with startup firms, incentives-granting, and online trade platforms. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit said India, with its 1.3 billion-strong population, is among Thailand’s key markets. The world’s 6th largest economy is Thailand’s top trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade amounting to 15 billion USD in 2021. This was a 52% increase over 2020’s figure. Mr. Jurin said there is vast room for the growth of the Thai-India trade, especially after the pandemic resolves. He has previously led business delegations to India twice, illustrating the importance being placed on expanding trade with India. Telangana State has a population of 40 million and Muslims account for about 13% of this figure. The state’s GDP stands at 132 billion USD or 5% of India’s GDP. The mini-FTA is expected to help grow Thai exports to India by at least 4-5%. According to the commerce minister, 3 out of 10 city-level mini-FTAs have been signed so far. These comprise the mini-FTAs with China’s Hainan province, Japan’s Kofu city, and India’s Telangana state. A fourth mini-FTA will be signed this month with China’s Gansu province. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-12 - 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