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By Online Reporter With two electric surfboards and a whole lot of nerve, two Thai men have become the first people to cross the Gulf of Thailand using high tech eFoil boards, setting a new record in the process. The two men, Mr. Nattapon, managing director of Mentagram Company Limited, and Mr. Nattapat, who won the Lift Foils Thailand Challenge 2021, joined forces in a bid to set a new distance record using the eFoil electric surfboard. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The pair left Pattaya Beach at 5am on Friday morning, taking nearly 9 hours to reach Hua Hin beach, stopping only to change the batteries on their electric surfboards. The pair were expected to complete the crossing in just over 7 hours but strong winds and waves meant they were only able to reach an average speed of 22 km/h. The Lift eFoil electric surfboard has a top speed of 45km/h. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/men-set-record-for-crossing-gulf-of-thailand-on-electric-surfboards/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-11 - 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

Nongprue police seizes illegally modified motorcycles in Banglamung on first day of seven dangerous days during Songkran By Nop Meechukhun Banglamung – Nongprue police have seized a total of 12 illegally modified motorcycles on Highway 36 Road in Banglamung, April 10th, to help prevent road accidents on the seven dangerous days of the Songkran holiday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256345-nongprue-police-seizes-illegally-modified-motorcycles-in-banglamung-on-first-day-of-seven-dangerous-days-during-songkran/

By Nop Meechukhun Banglamung – Nongprue police have seized a total of 12 illegally modified motorcycles on Highway 36 Road in Banglamung, April 10th, to help prevent road accidents on the seven dangerous days of the Songkran holiday. Nongprue Police Chief Colonel Damrong Eiampairoj led the police officers to inspect traffic and capture illegal motorcycle racers on Highway Number 36 on the first day of the seven dangerous days. A total of 12 vehicles were confiscated. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/10/nongprue-police-seizes-illegally-modified-motorcycles-in-banglamung-on-first-day-of-seven-dangerous-days-during-songkran/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-11 - 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

It is the ONE year anniversary of closing Thailand bars and nightlife for “two weeks”, a year later still legally closed By Adam Judd Thailand-The following is a weekly feature article looking at this same time period LAST year in Pattaya and Thailand news. This week, we are mostly focusing on the one-year legal closure of bars and nightlife in Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256343-it-is-the-one-year-anniversary-of-closing-thailand-bars-and-nightlife-for-“two-weeks”-a-year-later-still-legally-closed/

By Adam Judd Thailand-The following is a weekly feature article looking at this same time period LAST year in Pattaya and Thailand news. This week, we are mostly focusing on the one-year legal closure of bars and nightlife in Thailand. This weekly feature takes a look back at news from the same period last year (and sometimes different time windows, such as six months or three months) to see how things have changed, follow up on the progression of stories, as well as look at potentially broken promises or things that didn’t take place as promised in Pattaya and Thailand. As we publish dozens of stories a week this is a quick way for people to take a look at what the biggest stories were a year ago, as chosen by our editorial team, and how they impact us today and relate to current news. They are in no particular order of importance, however, are roughly in order of publication. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe This week, we cover the second week of April 2021, from Sunday, April 4th, 2021, to Saturday, April 10th, 2021. Let’s go! This week last year is when the Thai government legally closed bars and nightlife for “two weeks” in 41 provinces, including Chonburi after the third “wave” of Covid-19 began in Thailand. Eventually, this led to an eight-month ban on alcohol at all restaurants until the government finally relented just before Christmas last year, but only partially. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/09/it-is-the-one-year-anniversary-of-closing-thailand-bars-and-nightlife-for-two-weeks-a-year-later-still-legally-closed/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-11 - 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

Illegal Migrants Apprehended in Ratchaburi Province by Natthaphon Sangpolsit RATCHABURI (NNT) - Officials in Ratchaburi province have arrested a group of 34 migrants for illegally crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border. They are now in quarantine after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256341-illegal-migrants-apprehended-in-ratchaburi-province/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit RATCHABURI (NNT) - Officials in Ratchaburi province have arrested a group of 34 migrants for illegally crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border. They are now in quarantine after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. The group, consisting of 16 women and 18 men, were arrested along with two guides aboard two pick-up trucks in front of Suan Phung Subdistrict Municipal Office in Ratchaburi. Officers escorted the group to the Border Patrol Police Company 137 base, where they were screened for COVID-19 using antigen test kits. The entire group is now being held in quarantine after one member tested positive. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe An initial investigation found that each of them paid 20,000-25,000 baht to their agent and 3,000-5,000 baht to their guides to help them cross the border. The two guides said they normally picked up illegal migrants at designated meeting points along the border. The migrants would then be taken into hiding in Suan Phung district, where they would be picked up by another team. Officials will perform a followup COVID-19 test on the arrested migrants before proceeding with their deportation. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Employment Department Says Thailand to Import More Workers by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Reports of illegal migrant workers entering Thailand have prompted public concern about the spread of COVID-19, with questions being raised about the worker importation process. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256339-employment-department-says-thailand-to-import-more-workers/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Reports of illegal migrant workers entering Thailand have prompted public concern about the spread of COVID-19, with questions being raised about the worker importation process. Relevant agencies have indicated that Thailand has taken the necessary steps to import labor, with requests for about 150,000 migrant workers having recently been made with partner countries. Pairoj Chotikasathien, director-general of the Department of Employment, revealed that the labor ministry is addressing the labor shortage in two major ways. The first is by bringing in workers from three different countries to work for employers in Thailand under the labor memorandum of understanding (MoU) process. Employers have filed applications to hire 167,961 migrant workers via the MoU system. Applications were made for 117,029 Myanmar workers, 38,933 Cambodian workers, and 11,999 Laotian workers. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Approval has been granted for 144,709 of these positions and requests for these workers have been made to their origin countries. So far, about 6,000 workers from Cambodia and Laos have entered Thailand in accordance with said requests. Pairoj said Myanmar workers, for whom demand has been highest, still face labor import obstacles stemming from unrest in their country. The director-general explained that the second major undertaking to resolve labor shortages involves allowing migrant workers in Thailand to remain in the kingdom. The 2.13 million workers already in the country are now able to apply for employment and remain in Thailand, instead of returning to their nation of origin. Both initiatives are expected to help retain the number of workers already in the kingdom and expand the pool with newcomers. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

COVID Vaccination Center Open to Thai and Foreign Nationals by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - MBK Center and the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment of the Ministry of Public Health have been operating a COVID-19 vaccination center that provides Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for any dose, from first injections to booster. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256338-covid-vaccination-center-open-to-thai-and-foreign-nationals/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - MBK Center and the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment of the Ministry of Public Health have been operating a COVID-19 vaccination center that provides Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for any dose, from first injections to booster. The service is available for Thai and foreign nationals, including migrant workers, and has the capacity to inoculate up to 1,200 persons per day for those who walk in or register through mobile service providers. The center is open from Mondays to Fridays (except on national holidays) to the end of April on the 6th floor of Zone B-C at MBK Center. For further information, please contact MBK Contact Center by calling 1285. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Central Vaccination Center at the Bang Sue Central Station has also been operating a vaccination service for both Thai and foreign nationals. The service will resume on April 18 and operate daily from 9 AM to 4 PM at Gate 2. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Thai Navy to Consider Alternatives to China Submarine Deal by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy has assured it can review other options if its 13.5 billion baht deal to procure a submarine from the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) is deemed untenable, due to the company’s inability to acquire a German-made engine as stipulated in the agreement. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256337-thai-navy-to-consider-alternatives-to-china-submarine-deal/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Navy has assured it can review other options if its 13.5 billion baht deal to procure a submarine from the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) is deemed untenable, due to the company’s inability to acquire a German-made engine as stipulated in the agreement. The company, Motor and Turbine Union (MTU), is refusing to supply China with the MTU396 diesel engine that would be used in the S26T Yuan-class submarine because of an embargo that prevents the sale of equipment classified as military/defense items. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe According to Navy Chief of Staff Adm Tharoengsak Sirisawat, additional discussions will be held with CSOC near the end of the month to determine whether the issue can be resolved. Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had previously instructed the navy to do everything possible to complete the deal, but said the contract could be terminated should China fail to meet the terms of the agreement. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Phuket Sandbox Preparations Inspected Ahead of Songkran Holidays by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government’s spokesperson recently visited Phuket province to inspect tourist preparations ahead of the Songkran holidays. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256336-phuket-sandbox-preparations-inspected-ahead-of-songkran-holidays/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government’s spokesperson recently visited Phuket province to inspect tourist preparations ahead of the Songkran holidays. Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said he visited Phuket province to observe preparations and measures being implemented to welcome domestic and foreign tourists during the Songkran festival. He described the atmosphere as lively, with local tourism businesses continuing to operate normally while enforcing strict COVID Free Setting prevention measures to ensure public safety. According to a recent report, the number of tourists visiting Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox program has exceeded 445,800 since its launch on July 1, 2021. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The spokesperson said about 70,000 rooms in Phuket will be available for service during the five-day holiday period, accounting for 70% of all rooms in the province. The check-in rate is 44.46%, with the possibility of rising to 60% due to last-minute bookings preferred by both domestic and international tourists. The Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts that 188,245 domestic and international tourists will visit the province during the festival, generating around 3.241 billion baht in tourism revenue. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Government Approves Plan to Procure Evusheld for Vulnerable People by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government plans to procure a long-acting antibody drug for people with conditions that prevent them from getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256335-government-approves-plan-to-procure-evusheld-for-vulnerable-people/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government plans to procure a long-acting antibody drug for people with conditions that prevent them from getting vaccinated against COVID-19. According to Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved a plan to procure Evusheld, a long-acting monoclonal antibody designed to prevent COVID transmissions, specifically for individuals with poor immune systems who cannot get vaccinated. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Evusheld was developed by AstraZeneca using a combination of two long-acting antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab, which work by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, preventing it from attaching to and entering human cells. It is administered in two injections and provides protection for at least six months. The government is currently exploring options for obtaining Evusheld, including renegotiating with AstraZeneca to replace some vaccine doses with Evusheld in order to reduce additional payments. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Health Ministry Advises Elderly to Stay Home During Songkran by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Health officials are advising senior citizens to stay home during the Songkran holidays due to COVID-19 concerns, saying they should only go outside when absolutely necessary. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256334-health-ministry-advises-elderly-to-stay-home-during-songkran/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Health officials are advising senior citizens to stay home during the Songkran holidays due to COVID-19 concerns, saying they should only go outside when absolutely necessary. Authorities are also urging people to hold their Songkran activities in open or spacious, well-ventilated areas. All participants should wear face masks and keep their distance from senior family members. Additionally, they should forgo activities that involve physical contact or sharing items while the duration of activities should be kept at a minimum. Such activities include bathing Buddha images and pouring water on seniors to ask for their blessing. Health agencies also recommend practicing social distancing when attending Songkran activities held at temples. These include alms-making, merit-making and sermons, which should take place in open areas. Meals for monks should meanwhile take the form of individual meal sets instead of the typical shared meal arrangement, while people should bring water containers for Buddha image bathing rites. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, direct-general of the Department of Health, noted that the elderly face a heightened risk of severe COVID symptoms and fatality than other age groups. With crowding expected during Songkran celebrations, seniors are advised to only leave their homes when necessary and to frequently wash their hands. They should also avoid touching their faces with their hands and try to use serving spoons during meals. The director-general added that senior citizens should get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get their booster doses if they are already vaccinated. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

The exact date of Easter moves around quite a bit even in Thailand by Michael Bridge file photo Wherever you live in the world, Easter is always a moveable feast day. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256333-the-exact-date-of-easter-moves-around-quite-a-bit-even-in-thailand/

file photo by Michael Bridge Wherever you live in the world, Easter is always a moveable feast day. Unlike Christmas, it does not take place on the same day every year. Orthodox churches in some countries including Greece, Cyprus and Romania base their Easter date on the Julian calendar. In the UK it sometimes comes at the end of March; other years it happens in late April. In 2022, Easter is on Sunday 17 April. For it to come any later than it was in 2019 (21 April) you will have to wait until 2038. Easter is always on the first Sunday after the first full moon that follows the spring equinox. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe But this full moon is an ecclesiastical full moon (ecclesiastical means ‘of the Church’), and so was not calculated in quite the same way modern astronomers would. On top of that, for the purpose of calculating Easter, the spring equinox is always on 21 March. So there you go – in 2022 the first full moon after the 21 March is Saturday 16 April, hence why Easter is on Sunday 17 April. These rules also mean that the earliest possible date that Easter Sunday can fall is the 22nd March. The last time that happened was in 1818. Holy Week in the Philippines In the Philippines, where there are millions of devote Christians, their Holy Week this year runs from April 10th-16th 2022. It is commonly referred to as Semana Santa—which is a week of solemn contemplation on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—is being observed in the Philippines every year. Of course Songkran is one of the biggest and most important Thai holidays. The 3-day celebration is often combined with the weekend to make a 5-day break. This holiday is celebrated with parades, religious ceremonies, and festivities throughout the country. This year Songkran officially starts on April 13th to 15th 2022. Thai Christians and expats are likely to celebrate Easter with services on April 17th, 2022 but do check with your local parish. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-11 - 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

Moody’s Maintains Thailand’s Credit Rating at Baa1 by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Global credit rating company Moody’s has announced its latest credit rating for Thailand, maintaining it at Baa1 - the same score as the previous year, owing to the diversity of the kingdom’s economy as well as its robust financial sector. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256332-moody’s-maintains-thailand’s-credit-rating-at-baa1/

Moody’s Maintains Thailand’s Credit Rating at Baa1 by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - Global credit rating company Moody’s has announced its latest credit rating for Thailand, maintaining it at Baa1 - the same score as the previous year, owing to the diversity of the kingdom’s economy as well as its robust financial sector. Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), said the rating reflects the size and diversity of the Thai economy and the effectiveness of its flexible macroeconomic policies. She noted that another factor contributing to the score has been the government’s investment promotion measures under the Eastern Economic Corridor campaign, which is expected to further boost the economy over the next 2-3 years. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The director-general said Moody’s Baa1 rating is comparable to S&P’s BBB+ rating, adding that Thailand’s economy is expected to grow by 3.4% this year and 4.8% next year. Compared to other countries at the same credit rating level, Thailand’s public financial sector remains robust with a slight increase in government debt-to-GDP ratio to 52-54%. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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

Thailand Approves Enhanced Incentives to Boost EV Use by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) says Thailand has expanded incentives to boost the use of electric vehicles (EVs), as the kingdom looks to preserve its status as a major Southeast Asian auto production hub. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256330-thailand-approves-enhanced-incentives-to-boost-ev-use/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The Board of Investment (BOI) says Thailand has expanded incentives to boost the use of electric vehicles (EVs), as the kingdom looks to preserve its status as a major Southeast Asian auto production hub. Duangjai Asawachintachit, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BOI), told a news conference that smaller charging stations will now be eligible for three-year tax benefits - an extra incentive on top of a five-year corporate income tax exemption available to investments in charging stations with at least 40 chargers. The BOI head said a condition barring investors from receiving additional benefits from other agencies, and a requirement for ISO certification, have also been removed. She also said the revised measures are to ensure that "incentives stay relevant in a fast-changing business environment." Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thailand is encouraging consumers to shift to EVs, with a goal of ensuring 30% of its total auto production output is EVs by 2030. In the January-March period, overall foreign and Thai investment applications, including for the auto industry, were worth 110.7 billion baht (US$3.3 billion), down 6% from a year earlier due to global geopolitical and economic challenges. However, foreign investment pledges alone rose 29% to 77.3 billion baht in the January-March period, with Taiwan, Japan and China as the top three investors. Among targeted industries, the auto sector topped the list with an investment value of 41.6 billion baht, followed by agriculture and food processing with 12 billion baht, and electronics with 10.3 billion baht. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-11 - 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