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Thailand dreams of high-end cannabis tourism after marijuana is legalised Ideas ranging from wellness spas to profitable farms for rural communities could provide economic boost, say advocates Rebecca Root in Bangkok New legislation in Thailand could create a recreational cannabis market worth more than $400m in just a couple of years, according to some estimates. Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters From Bangkok Hilton to Bridget Jones, Thailand’s reputation as one of the strictest countries in the world for drug offences is well documented. Even cannabis, considered a “less dangerous drug” by the UN, carries the potential for a 15 year prison term. But a recent announcement that it is to be delisted as a narcotic could trigger a transformation in how the drug is used inside Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255842-thailand-dreams-of-high-end-cannabis-tourism-after-marijuana-is-legalised/

New legislation in Thailand could create a recreational cannabis market worth more than $400m in just a couple of years, according to some estimates. Photograph: Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters Ideas ranging from wellness spas to profitable farms for rural communities could provide economic boost, say advocates Rebecca Root in Bangkok From Bangkok Hilton to Bridget Jones, Thailand’s reputation as one of the strictest countries in the world for drug offences is well documented. Even cannabis, considered a “less dangerous drug” by the UN, carries the potential for a 15 year prison term. But a recent announcement that it is to be delisted as a narcotic could trigger a transformation in how the drug is used inside Thailand. “A lot of people come here to get their faces fixed with plastic surgery. A lot of people come to do dental work and oral surgery, and for wellness retreats. Within that context, marijuana will integrate beautifully.” So says Carl K Linn, author of a newsletter about cannabis in Thailand, who who sees foreign tourism potential in the delisting of cannabis. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thailand’s narcotics board announced in January it would delist cannabis that has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of below 0.2%, making it the first Asian country to do so. Thailand was also the first in south-east Asia to sanction medical use of marijuana in 2018. Anutin Charnvirakul, the public health minister, said that once the delisting comes into effect – 120 days after publication on the Royal Thai Government Gazette website – people will be able to grow cannabis plants at home after notifying their local government. Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/thailand-dreams-of-high-end-cannabis-tourism-after-marijuana-is-legalised -- © Copyright The Guardian 2022-04-06 - 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

Flights from Hua Hin to Kuala Lumpur set to resume June 1 By Online Reporter File photo Direct flights from Hua Hin to Kuala Lumpur are set to resume on June 1. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255841-flights-from-hua-hin-to-kuala-lumpur-set-to-resume-june-1/

File photo By Online Reporter Direct flights from Hua Hin to Kuala Lumpur are set to resume on June 1. The flights are due to operate every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The flights will depart Kuala Lumpur at 10:15 local time arriving in Hua Hin at 11:20. From Hua Hin flights will depart at 11:50 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 14:55. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/flights-from-hua-hin-to-kuala-lumpur-set-to-resume-june-1/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-06 - 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

Corrupt policeman refused arrest insisting that he was innocent of abduction and extortion claims by James Morris and Son Nguyen Scenes outside Bang Na Police Station last Saturday as police escorted Police Major Kom Rodphao to a hearing before the Phra Khanong Criminal Court where he was later ordered kept in custody as a probe into the case against him concerning the March 10th abduction of a husband and wife in the Udomsuk area of Bangkok proceeds. The couple were detained by 15 well-built men including Police Major Kom and a subordinate officer, Police Corporal Abhisit Chasanthia, in an operation to collect a debt for an illegal online gambling site. On Saturday, there were two disturbances outside the police station as Police Major Kom insisted on making his own way to the court even after he had been ordered detained by the police superintendent of the station. Despite the scenes, he was subsequently taken to court by police van. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255839-corrupt-policeman-refused-arrest-insisting-that-he-was-innocent-of-abduction-and-extortion-claims/

Scenes outside Bang Na Police Station last Saturday as police escorted Police Major Kom Rodphao to a hearing before the Phra Khanong Criminal Court where he was later ordered kept in custody as a probe into the case against him concerning the March 10th abduction of a husband and wife in the Udomsuk area of Bangkok proceeds. The couple were detained by 15 well-built men including Police Major Kom and a subordinate officer, Police Corporal Abhisit Chasanthia, in an operation to collect a debt for an illegal online gambling site. On Saturday, there were two disturbances outside the police station as Police Major Kom insisted on making his own way to the court even after he had been ordered detained by the police superintendent of the station. Despite the scenes, he was subsequently taken to court by police van. by James Morris and Son Nguyen This latest case has seen two police officers held in detention by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court until April 13th next and comes after public revulsion and anger last year over the Ferrari Joe case and several other incidents which have undermined confidence in the force and raised disturbing questions about the nature and extent of police corruption. On Saturday last, there was a powerful image outside Bang Na police station as police officers grappled with one of their own, a senior officer with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau who was ordered to be detained after it emerged that he was involved with the illegal abduction, detention and extortion of a husband and wife in early March. The police colonel refused to be held in arrest and taken to court by police officers insisting that he had a legal right to appear unescorted as he denied all the charges against him. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe His detention had already been ordered by the station chief. The man was among a gang of 15 who forcefully attempted to collect a debt from the couple on behalf of an illegal gambling site in a harrowing nine-hour ordeal. The case raises deep and unsettling questions about police corruption and has been met since last weekend with decisive police action both to discipline and prosecute the police officers involved and all concerned with the outrage. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/05/corrupt-policeman-refused-arrest-on-charges/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-06 - 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

Tourism’ event promotes eco-friendly travel experiences TAT and TEATA co-organised Bangkok event, which was aimed at expats and foreign tourists. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) recently organised the ‘Amazing New Chapters, Amazing “BALANCE” Tourism’ event in Bangkok to showcase eco-friendly travel experiences under the BCG Economic Model and Happy Model concepts to expats and foreign tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255838-tourism’-event-promotes-eco-friendly-travel-experiences/

TAT and TEATA co-organised Bangkok event, which was aimed at expats and foreign tourists. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) recently organised the ‘Amazing New Chapters, Amazing “BALANCE” Tourism’ event in Bangkok to showcase eco-friendly travel experiences under the BCG Economic Model and Happy Model concepts to expats and foreign tourists. Held at the EmQuartier shopping complex, from 31 March-3 April, 2022, the event was also aimed at promoting ecotourism and adventure travel as sustainable products in line with the TAT’s ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ marketing campaign. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The Amazing New Chapters, Amazing “BALANCE” Tourism event represents a new chapter for the tourism industry in Thailand, in which TAT and TEATA have created tourism routes and activities that apply the BCG Economic Model in combination with the Happy Model and Carbon Balance model. These are responsible, sustainable and high-quality tourism products.” The Amazing New Chapters, Amazing “BALANCE” Tourism products draw on the practices of the Bioeconomy, Circular Economy and Green Economy ideals. Bio Tourism focuses on travel that promotes biodiversity; for example, the use of local and eco-friendly ingredients to create culinary dishes. Circular Tourism supports travel that promotes the efficient use of resources and which minimises waste that is generated from travelling. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Green Tourism is travel that is environmentally friendly and which seeks to minimise carbon emissions; for example, using an outdoor venue instead of an air-conditioned building, choosing daytime schedules that reduce the need for lighting, and limiting single-use plastic. Inspired by this rationale, TAT and TEATA together promoted the following products at the ‘Amazing New Chapters, Amazing “BALANCE” Tourism’ event: ● Eco and adventure travel routes to nine target provinces – Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang-nga, Phuket, and Chiang Mai – that offer cycling, walking, trekking, and other such activities. These programmes have their carbon footprint calculated, reduced, and offset until being carbon neutral. A 500 Baht promotion was offered to expats purchasing these programmes for travel between April and August 2022. ● Tourism programmes to the five regions of Thailand – the North, Northeast, Central, East, and South – which use the BCG Van Tour, BCG Mini Caravan, BCG Self-Drive Package, and BCG Fly-Drive Package modes of transportation. Electric (EV) or hybrid vehicles are preferred. ● TEATA’s members, covering eco-friendly hotels and accommodation, in the five regions of Thailand. Outdoor activities in the five regions of Thailand; such as, cycling, ziplining, white-water rafting, camping, trekking, bird watching, and kayaking. ● Thailand made products by TEATA’s members and local communities, including eco-friendly products like baskets woven from recycled plastic strips. TAT signed an MoU with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) and TEATA in June 2021, to cooperate in promoting low-carbon tourism products and help tackle climate change. Another MoU was also signed for the “Carbon Balance Scheme” to further develop carbon neutral tourism, between TAT and seven organizations – the TGO, TEATA, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), Program Management Unit Competitiveness (PMUC), and the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand (TCC & BOT). Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/amazing-new-chapters-amazing-balance-tourism-event-promotes-eco-friendly-travel-experiences/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-04-06 - 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

TAT announces Songkran 2022 festivities in new normal Focusing on the traditional and cultural aspects of the Thai New Year, while strictly adhering to the nationwide public health protocols. TAT Newsroom file photo Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting the ‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ at 10 temples in Bangkok and the ‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ in Ayutthaya and Songkhla, as well as supporting other Songkran festivities in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Samut Prakan. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255837-tat-announces-songkran-2022-festivities-in-new-normal/

file photo Focusing on the traditional and cultural aspects of the Thai New Year, while strictly adhering to the nationwide public health protocols. TAT Newsroom Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hosting the ‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ at 10 temples in Bangkok and the ‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ in Ayutthaya and Songkhla, as well as supporting other Songkran festivities in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Samut Prakan. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “The Royal Thai Government has allowed the Songkran 2022 festivities to take place under universal prevention and COVID-free setting guidelines and to highlight the traditional and cultural aspects of the festival. As such, TAT is placing emphasis on honouring the centuries-old origins and traditions of the Thai New Year, a time when family comes first, respect is paid to seniors, and people visit the temples to take part in age-old ceremonies.” The biggest and most important of Thailand’s annual festivals, Songkran in its purest form is a religious festival steeped in Buddhist and Brahman traditions. Marking the end of a 12-month cycle when the sun moves into April and there was traditionally a gap between rice harvesting and planting, Songkran in Thailand is officially observed as a three-day national holiday from 13-15 April, although celebrations can go on for longer – up to a week in some places. This year, all Songkran festivities hosted or supported by TAT will take place in accordance with universal prevention guidelines against COVID-19. All participants are asked to kindly strictly follow these rules at all times, which include being fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or showing a negative test result using an Antigen Test Kit of no more than 72 hours. Songkran 2022 festivities hosted by TAT ‘Amazing Songkran 2022 Celebrations’ from 9-17 April, at 10 temples in Bangkok TAT has scheduled traditional festivities that honour the centuries-old origins and traditions of the Thai New Year at 10 temples in Bangkok’s old quarters; namely, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Rakang, Wat Suthat, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayun, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Mahathat, Wat Saket (Phu Khao Thong), and Wat Ratchabophit. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Throughout the nine days, visitors are invited to mark the first step into the Thai New Year by taking part in the Song Nam Phra activity, and capture the moments at a special photo corner and augmented reality (AR) spot, as well as enjoy lucky draws and collect souvenirs. Particularly during 13-15 April, TAT has arranged special festivities at Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit, including traditional culture and performances; such as, Khon masked dance, Thai-style antiphon singing, and Thai puppet show, as well as demonstrations of authentic Thai dessert making and fruit carving. ‘Songkran Music Heritage Festival 2022’ from 12-21 April, in Ayutthaya and Songkhla TAT has selected Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram and Songkhla’s old town as venues for the ‘Songkran Music Heritage 2022’ to enhance local and international awareness of both locations’ historical and cultural significances. Festivities at both locations will honour the centuries-old cultures and traditions of Songkran, while presenting modern day entertaining elements. At Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Ram, TAT has arranged a host of aged-old rituals and celebrations, including the Song Nam Phra activity, making Chedi Sai or sand stupa, demonstrations of handicraft products unique to the province; such as, weaving Pla-Ta-Pian fish mobiles (symbol of good health and prosperity), and traditional cultures and performances; such as, Khon masked dance and Likay Thai opera theatre. There will also be a fair selling handicraft products and famous cuisine of Ayutthaya and nearly provinces. The temple itself will be decorated in a traditional vibe of Songkran, and will be featuring photo spots with visual idea decorations highlighting the province’s two unique symbols – elephant and Pla-Ta-Pian fish – in creatively different shapes and forms; such as, a Pla-Ta-Pian fish mobile tunnel, bamboo-woven elephant, and ‘Nong Chuenjai’ Pla-Ta-Pian fish mascot. Nearby archaeological ruins will be brightly illuminated. At Songkhla’s old town, TAT has also arranged a host of aged-old rituals and celebrations, including the Song Nam Phra activity, making Chedi Sai, demonstrations of famous cuisine of the province; such as, Khao Yam or spicy rice salad, and traditional performances; such as, Nora dance drama. Meanwhile, there will be a mapping story presented by ‘Nong Mila’, the mermaid mascot specially created for the event to honour Songkhla’s most photographed tourist attraction – the Golden Mermaid statue on Samila Beach. Here too, there will also be a fair selling handicraft products and famous cuisine of Songkhla and nearly provinces. Songkhla’s old town, which is dotted with colourful Sino-Portuguese style houses, will also be brightly illuminated and decorated in a traditional vibe of Songkran with a twist, reflecting the city’s former glory as the commercial trading centre of Southern Thailand. Among key items are Thai-style bird cages and kites as well as vivid colour party flag strips that will be used to adorn the town in combination with Chinese lanterns, and lighting in coordinating colours with Nora’s beaded costumes. Meanwhile, the specially-created landmark for photo-taking opportunity will feature the famous handwoven fabric of Ko Yo. Particularly during the three-day holiday, from 13-15 April, TAT has scheduled music concerts featuring famous Thai bands and singers at both locations in Ayutthaya and in Songkhla. Visitors to the TAT-hosted Songkran 2022 events are encouraged to dress in traditional Thai period costume, wear Thai clothing, or polite smart casual attire. Songkran 2022 festivities supported by TAT ‘The ICONIC Songkran Festival 2022’ from 8-17 April, at ICONSIAM in Bangkok. Key festivities will focus on the traditional and cultural aspects of Songkran, including Song Nam Phra, and Rot Nam Dam Hua – a ritual to pay respect to the elders, family-focused activities, kite displays, merit-making activities, and a replica of a Thai temple fair. ‘Water Festival’ by Thai Beverage Plc (ThaiBev) in 6 Thai cities 13-15 April, 2022, at 9 historic piers along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River; namely Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Prayun, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Rakang, Maharaj Pier, Lhong 1919, SookSiam at ICONSIAM, and Asiatique the Riverfront. 13-15 April, 2022, at Lanna Ancient House, Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai. 13 April, 2022, at Inthayongyos Road, Mueang Lamphun. 13-14 April, 2022, at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Udon Thani. 13-14 April, 2022, at Wat Chaisi, Mueang Khon Kaen. 11-12 April, 2022, at Phuket’s old town. ‘Nam Thip Pi Mai Muang Chiang Mai’ from 12-16 April, in Chiang Mai This aged-old ceremony of creating ‘Nam Thip’ or “lustral water” was first reintroduced by TAT last year using water from three sacred water sources at Wat Buppharam, Doi Angkhang or Doi Inthanon, and the Ping River, which were part of the 108 sacred water sources obtained for the Coronation of King Rama X. This year, the ritual will be held once again to mark the 726th anniversary of Chiang Mai on 12 April, and will be using water from the three sacred water sources and 6 additional sources at Wat Pha Lat, Wat Pa Dat, Wat Dap Pai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Tharathip Chai Pradit, and Wat Phut En. This year, the ceremony of creating ‘Nam Thip’ is scheduled to take place on 10 April at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and a total of 10,726 bottles of ‘lustral water’ will be given to visitors to Chiang Mai during 12-16 April at 10 distribution locations via advance registration. Visitors are also encouraged to visit these temples which boast magnificent Lanna architecture. Phra Pradeang Songkran Festival 2022, from 22-24 April, in Samut Prakan Taking place at the Phra Pradaeng City Hall, this remains one of Thailand’s most fascinating ways to celebrate Songkran. Phra Pradaeng is where the local people observe Mon ceremonies in a traditional way, and their New Year traditions are very different to those found in the rest of the country. For a start, the celebrations here take place a little later, and feature a range of cultural activities, including a spectacular floral procession, a parade of the local Mon people in their colourful traditional outfits, a Miss Songkran parade, and a Mister and Miss Songkran Beauty Contest. Visitors will also have the chance to join merit-making activities in the local temples, pay respect to community elders, and enjoy folk plays and cultural performances, as well as enjoy famous cuisine of Phra Pradaeng. file photo Cultures and traditions for enjoying Songkran in Thailand Visit the temple Like Christmas in the West and the New Year in China, Songkran in Thailand is when families travel long distances to come together. And on Songkran Day itself (13 April), Thais visit their local temple to pay respect to the images of the Buddha and seek good luck for the New Year. The main activity is the pouring of scented water onto the sacred Buddha images of the temple – a ritual called Song Nam Phra. It seems that in past times, lustral water used to clean Buddhist statues was regarded as spiritually cleansing and so collected and gently dripped over family members for luck – called Rot Nam Dam Hua. You don’t have to visit the temples to carry out this charming tradition of bathing the Buddha images. Many malls and shops put out their own images of the Buddha with a bowl of scented water, so that people get the chance to Song Nam Phra wherever they are. Remember, that water is not poured onto the head of the Buddha image, rather onto the torso and body. This water is traditionally scented with a perfume called Nam Op. Build a sand stupa Around Songkran do not be surprised to see what appear to be large sand castles in the grounds of temples. These are made as a way of replacing the earth taken away throughout the year on the shoes of people coming to pray. These Chedi Sai, as they are known are often decorated with flags, coloured pebbles and money, and families or groups of friends work together to build them. Pay respect to the elders One charming element of Songkran, often overlooked by visitors is the tradition of paying respect to elders in the Thai family. This is usually done on the second day of Songkran (14 April), and young people prepare rose and jasmine water as well as Nam Op scented water to wash their parents’ hands in a ceremony called Rot Nam Dam Hua. In return, the parents give the children their blessings marked by a garland of jasmine. Last but not least, kindly be reminded that this year the Royal Thai Government has prohibited water splashing, powder smearing, and foam parties at Songkran locations and in public areas. The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are also prohibited at the event’s location. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/tat-announces-songkran-2022-festivities-in-new-normal/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-04-06 - 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

Creamfields electronic dance music festival in Pattaya officially announces first round of DJ’s and details By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: CreamfieldsThailand Pattaya – Creamfields, the leading EDM music festival in the UK which will be held in Pattaya in May has been officially announced with phase 1 of their DJ lineup. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255836-creamfields-electronic-dance-music-festival-in-pattaya-officially-announces-first-round-of-dj’s-and-details/

PHOTO: CreamfieldsThailand By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya – Creamfields, the leading EDM music festival in the UK which will be held in Pattaya in May has been officially announced with phase 1 of their DJ lineup. Creamfields, which presents itself as the leading EDM music festival in the UK, was first launched back in 1998 in Winchester and is regarded worldwide as a leading music festival and event. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The press conference for Creamfields Thailand was held yesterday afternoon (April 4th) at the Nong Nooch Tradition Center and was led by the Chonburi Vice Governor Niti Wiwatwanich and the president of Nong Nooch Garden Mr. Kamphon Sajja. The event is going to be held on the weekend of May 28th and May 29th from 4:00 P.M to midnight at the Nong Nooch Gardens in Pattaya. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/05/creamfields-electronic-dance-music-festival-in-pattaya-officially-announces-first-round-of-djs-and-details/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-06 - 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

Intoxicated 20-year-old motorbike rider injured after crashing into a pickup truck in Pattaya By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Tanapat Awayla Eak Chon News Banglamung/Pattaya – An intoxicated motorbike rider has sustained moderate injuries after his motorbike crashed into a pickup truck in Pattaya on Sunday, April 3rd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255835-intoxicated-20-year-old-motorbike-rider-injured-after-crashing-into-a-pickup-truck-in-pattaya/

PHOTO: Tanapat Awayla Eak Chon News By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung/Pattaya – An intoxicated motorbike rider has sustained moderate injuries after his motorbike crashed into a pickup truck in Pattaya on Sunday, April 3rd. Emergency responders were notified of the accident at 11:00 P.M. over the past weekend in the Khao Maikaew sub-district. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The first responders arrived at the scene to find a damaged motorbike lying on the roadway. The rider, Mr. Suppachock Roitui, 20, had sustained various injuries and he was taken to a local hospital. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/05/intoxicated-20-year-old-motorbike-rider-injured-after-crashing-into-a-pickup-truck-in-pattaya/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-06 - 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

Unidentified female motorbike rider dies after colliding with a pickup truck in Chonburi By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Nattapat Sisuwan/ Khaochad Chonburi – An unidentified female motorbike rider has passed away after her motorbike collided with a pickup truck in the Mueang Chonburi district. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255834-unidentified-female-motorbike-rider-dies-after-colliding-with-a-pickup-truck-in-chonburi/

PHOTO: Nattapat Sisuwan/ Khaochad By Goong Nang(GN) Chonburi – An unidentified female motorbike rider has passed away after her motorbike collided with a pickup truck in the Mueang Chonburi district. Emergency responders were notified of the accident on the Motorway Frontage Road in the Nong Ree sub-district over the past weekend, Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, around mid-afternoon. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe First response teams arrived at the scene to find the female motorbike driver lying on the road without a helmet but wearing a mask. No identification documents were found with her. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/05/unidentified-female-motorbike-rider-dies-after-colliding-with-a-pickup-truck-in-chonburi/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-06 - 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

'Gatick' Admits to False Statement on Tangmo Case NONTHABURI, (TNA) – The manager of late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong admitted that she made a false statement on wine consumption but insisted she had never said Tangmo had urinated in the stern of their speedboat before the actress fell overboard and drowned. . Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255833-gatick-admits-to-false-statement-on-tangmo-case/

NONTHABURI, (TNA) – The manager of late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong admitted that she made a false statement on wine consumption but insisted she had never said Tangmo had urinated in the stern of their speedboat before the actress fell overboard and drowned. . The manager, Idsarin “Gatick” Juthasuksawat, was interrogated for over three hours. Afterwards she had a press conference together with former MP Sira Jenjaka in front of the Muang Nonthaburi police station, the questioning venue. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe As Gatick's advisor, Mr Sira said she confessed completely and it was still not too late for the four other speedboat companions to tell the truth. Gatick was always cooperative but she was only once misled by a lawyer in the first place, Mr Sira said. He identified the lawyer only as “M”. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-917322 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-04-06 - 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 57

Apparently, the current cold spell across Thailand is coming from China by Michael Bridge The current cold snap across Thailand is apparently not according to the Thai Meteorological Department attributable to the polar vortex. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255832-apparently-the-current-cold-spell-across-thailand-is-coming-from-china/

by Michael Bridge The current cold snap across Thailand is apparently not according to the Thai Meteorological Department attributable to the polar vortex. However, they say that a relatively strong chilly air mass coming from China, is the main cause. The Thai Meteorological Department has issued an official notice on their Facebook page this week, to clarify an online misconception about the ongoing unusual cold that some claimed was caused by a polar vortex. It stated that “the drop in temperature ranging from April 1st to April 3rd is not caused by a polar vortex, but rather a relatively strong chilly air mass that extended from China. ” During the day, most of upper Thailand’s temperatures range from hot to extremely hot, and thunderstorms are relatively common. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The high pressure and cold air mass that used to cover upper Thailand usually weakens and recedes to China in winter, but depending on the strength of the air mass, it can periodically re-extend to upper Thailand, resulting in inclement weather, thunderstorms, high winds, and a drop in temperature as seen.” Everest protects “The polar vortex, which has been widely discussed on the internet, has no effect on Thailand because the Himalayas block the wind caused by the polar vortex, making it difficult for wind from the north pole to reach Thailand,” the Thai Meteorological Department stated. The northern, central, and eastern regions, including Bangkok, are expected to face a 2-4 degree drop in temperature and strong winds, and 1-3 degrees in the northeast over the next several days, especially overnight. People in the affected areas are urged to take care of their health, and farmers need to be vigilant about their crops which might be damaged by the weather. Southerly low-pressure areas may also experience increasing rain and heavy rain; therefore, people should be on the lookout for flash floods. The wind waves in the Gulf of Thailand are moderate, and the upper Gulf areas may experience a 2-meter-or-higher sea wave, so sailors should take precautions or refrain from sailing on a stormy day. The good news with rising electricity bills, at least we will not need to use our air conditioning units at the moment. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-06 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Wednesday 6 April 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1255831-thailand-live-wednesday-6-april-2022/

Thai clinches side tournament title at Winchester Women’s Open 2022 Thai snooker player Ploychompoo Laokiatphong, put Thailand in the headlines when she clinched the under-21 side tournament at the Winchester Women’s Open 2022 snooker championship in Leicestershire, UK, on April 2nd and 3rd. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255784-thai-clinches-side-tournament-title-at-winchester-women’s-open-2022/

Thai PM wants private sector to help improve Bangkok’s bus services Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to upgrade Bangkok’s bus services by allowing the private sector to operate some routes of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, the city bus operator, with vehicles that use clean energy to reduce air pollution and improve services. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255793-thai-pm-wants-private-sector-to-help-improve-bangkok’s-bus-services/

Health Ministry to Push for Blood Tests During Songkran to Curb Road Accidents BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has said it will advocate for motorists who do not take breathalyzer tests to instead take alcohol blood tests, as part of efforts to curb drunk driving. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255791-health-ministry-to-push-for-blood-tests-during-songkran-to-curb-road-accidents/

topic continues here: https://aseannow.com/topic/1255770-children-under-4-at-high-risk-of-severe-symptoms-from-covid-19-–-ddc/ //CLOSED//