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Davika “Mai” Hoorne Featured in TAT’s Travel Campaign by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will unveil a new television and online advertisement featuring actress Davika “Mai” Hoorne, in the hope to entice more people to engage in tourism activities. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256126-davika-“mai”-hoorne-featured-in-tat’s-travel-campaign/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will unveil a new television and online advertisement featuring actress Davika “Mai” Hoorne, in the hope to entice more people to engage in tourism activities. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports aims to attract at least 160 million people to take on trips and generate about 656 billion baht of revenue. The new ad is scheduled to make its debut online on April 12th and on TV the following day. Meanwhile, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn reported that there were 29.7 million local tourists from January to March, a jump of 73% year on year, generating 135.3 billion baht of revenue, an increase of 53% from the previous year. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe He explained that the period was considered a high season for Thais, while adding that the government’s relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions, tourism promotional campaigns, and the nation’s reopening scheme, greatly contributed to the positive figures. Governor Yuthasak singled out the administration’s “We Travel Together” and 50-50 Copay program as major contributors to the jump in the number of local tourists. The TAT projected about 22.98 million Thais will take on tourism trips in the second quarter, a leap of 210% year on year, generating about 105.2 billion baht of revenue, an increase of 205% from the same period of 2021. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-08 - 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

AIS Opposes TRUE - DTAC Merger Deal by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Broadcasting Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has acknowledged the Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS)’s opposition to the merger deal between TRUE Corporation and Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256125-ais-opposes-true-dtac-merger-deal/

by Na-ark Rojanasuvan BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Broadcasting Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has acknowledged the Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS)’s opposition to the merger deal between TRUE Corporation and Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC). In a letter submitted by AIS’s subsidiary, Advance Wireless Network Company Limited (AWN), the company clarifies the impact of the merger between the two telecommunication giants. It was the first time AIS explicitly shows its stance on the merger deal since its inception. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The letter also said that the merger between TRUE and DTAC will affect the competition in the market and severely affect the consumers. It argues that the deal is in violation of the law regarding the allocation and auction of GSM frequency bands. AIS stressed that allowing the merger to take place will create a monopoly. Initially, NBTC’s related units have voiced their opinions about the deal. The board meeting will discuss the matter again at a later date and is expected to produce a resolution within May 15th. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-08 - 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

Bangkok to host ‘11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting’ in August 2022 High-level regional tourism gathering is a key event in Thailand’s role as the APEC 2022 host country. TAT Newsroom Bangkok, 8 April, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that Thailand, in its role as the host of the APEC 2022, will hold the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 60th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting in Bangkok from 14-20 August, 2022. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256124-bangkok-to-host-‘11th-apec-tourism-ministerial-meeting’-in-august-2022/

High-level regional tourism gathering is a key event in Thailand’s role as the APEC 2022 host country. TAT Newsroom Bangkok, 8 April, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that Thailand, in its role as the host of the APEC 2022, will hold the 11th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 60th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting in Bangkok from 14-20 August, 2022. H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, said that the meetings will discuss the tourism direction after the COVID-19 crisis in the Asia-Pacific region to revitalise tourism in the region for the better, which the deliverable results will be reported at the APEC Leaders’ Summit. The tourism sector will reflect on the restorative strategy of the Thai economy by focusing on promoting tourism under the new normal of safety and health and providing service quality and consistency, and most importantly, supporting responsible tourism under the 5 factors of safe tourism – clean – love the environment – fair – and sustainable or Safe – Clean – Green – Fair – Sustainable. In its leadership role as the host country, Thailand is aiming to push forward the APEC Policy Recommendations on Regenerative Tourism to pave the way forward for the future of tourism that ensures that the industry contributes to all types of well-being locally. This is in line with the Royal Thai Government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, which is being used to revive Thailand’s tourism industry with the aim for safe, inclusive, and sustainable travel. The BCG Economy Model capitalises on Thailand’s strengths in biological diversity and cultural richness, and conforms to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The arrangement of the event will be environmentally conscious and embrace the use and presentation of local products, which reflect creativity and local wisdom knowledge. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Thailand’s tourism transformation, in response to growing trends in the new normal era, is in a direction towards stronger and sustainable, more responsible, more digital, and more inclusive growth. These objectives are incorporated into TAT’s ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters’ marketing campaign, and are being used in the organisation and hosting of the various APEC events Thailand as the APEC host country will stage throughout the year.” Thailand’s theme for its hosting of the APEC 2022 is “Open. Connect. Balance.” under which it is pushing forward three key priorities to develop the Asia-Pacific region. These include facilitating trade and investment with a refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific or FTAAP, promoting balance, sustainability, and inclusivity through the concept of the Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, and restoring regional connectivity, particularly in the travel and tourism industry towards safe and seamless cross-border travel in the region, including the APEC Information Portal for Safe Passage as a one-stop portal for information on cross-border travel within the region and the proposal to expand the scope of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to cover a broader range of businesses and professionals as the world exits the COVID-19 era. At the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2022, Thailand will propose the “Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy”, in response to the BCG Economy Model, Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, UN SDGs, and APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040. The paper is to serve as an affirmation of the 21 APEC nations’ commitment to pursue a more inclusive, balanced, and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and achieve long-term environmental and climate objectives. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/bangkok-to-host-11th-apec-tourism-ministerial-meeting-in-august-2022/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-04-08 - 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

One dead one injured as large crane collapses atop downtown Bangkok shopping center Picture: Sanook Lumpini police were called to the roof of a well-known shopping center on Ratdamri Road where a hotel is being added. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256120-one-dead-one-injured-as-large-crane-collapses-atop-downtown-bangkok-shopping-center/

Picture: Sanook Lumpini police were called to the roof of a well-known shopping center on Ratdamri Road where a hotel is being added. A 20 meter high crane's arm had collapsed onto two workers from Myanmar. Both were injured and one died in hospital. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Police think the crane was probably overloaded leading to the accident. It happened about 10 am yesterday. The store was not named in the Sanook story. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-08 - 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

14 year old admits to organizing her mum's murder - two in custody Picture: Daily News Bang Plee police in Samut Prakan went to the Khajorn housing estate in their jurisdiction after reports of two stabbings. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256119-14-year-old-admits-to-organizing-her-mums-murder-two-in-custody/

Picture: Daily News Bang Plee police in Samut Prakan went to the Khajorn housing estate in their jurisdiction after reports of two stabbings. At building #39 they found Kitti, 23, with multiple stab wounds. He had tried to save his mother from a stabbing attack in her room on the first floor. Inside the room and covered in blood was 53 year old Jeeraphan who was stabbed 7 times. She was dead. A fruit paring knife of 10 cms length was recovered. The son was taken to Bang Na 5 hospital, reported Daily News. At the scene were the victim's daughter - A aged 14 - and her boyfriend - B aged 16. B had arrived and been told to wait in the kitchen. When A gave the signal he armed himself with a knife and attacked her mother. Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Her elder brother tried to stop it before the police arrived. A said it was all her idea because her mother was trying to prevent her seeing B. She said she had mental health issues. Both are now in custody after social and youth services were contacted. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-08 - 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

Jealous ex stabs woman to death in front of stunned shoppers - no one intervenes Picture: Sanook Bang Kaew police were called to Big C in Bang Plee, Samut Prakan, after a horrific stabbing. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256118-jealous-ex-stabs-woman-to-death-in-front-of-stunned-shoppers-no-one-intervenes/

Picture: Sanook Bang Kaew police were called to Big C in Bang Plee, Samut Prakan, after a horrific stabbing. A man came into the store armed with a knife and jumped into a sales booth where his ex girlfriend was working. He then chase her around the store until knocking her down between tills number 6 and 7 and stabbing her eight times in the chest, torso and limbs. Sanook reported that no one intervened until a witness drummed up support with male staff and charged the assailant making a citizen's arrest. But by then it was too late and Maree, 34, a Cambodian national was dead. Chanawan, 31, has been charged with her murder. He said they split up after being together for about a year and he had a new girlfriend. But they never made a clean break calling each other frequently. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Sanook However, when Chanawan found out his ex was dating an employee of his company he told the man to end the relationship. He refused saying he would be picking up Maree that evening from work. At this he snapped, bought alcohol to drink and a knife and headed to the store. His attempt at reconciliation failed. Murder followed. But this was not the first time he had used violence out of jealousy. Police revealed that he had left jail in 2019 after being convicted of attempted murder of his ex girlfriend. Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-08 - 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

Winners and losers in ‘poster war’ for Bangkok governor election Controversy has erupted over the size – and sheer proliferation – of campaign posters on Bangkok streets, as city governor hopefuls vie for voter attention ahead of the May 22 election — the first since 2013. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256116-winners-and-losers-in-‘poster-war’-for-bangkok-governor-election/

Controversy has erupted over the size – and sheer proliferation – of campaign posters on Bangkok streets, as city governor hopefuls vie for voter attention ahead of the May 22 election — the first since 2013. Early-bird candidates were erecting their campaign posters at prominent spots, mainly roadside power poles, even before getting their candidacy numbers. The larger the posters and the greater their number, the better. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Complaints that the poster campaigns were blocking city thoroughfares quickly began flowing on the social media accounts of pedestrians and cyclists. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/winners-and-losers-in-poster-war-for-bangkok-governor-election/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-08 - 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

Opinion: With the Bangkok governor election just days away, we are already seeing candidates self destruct By Erich Parpart Former senator Rosana Tositrakul was not a frontrunner in the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election but that still did not stop her from taking the headlines earlier this month with some rather spectacular statements. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256106-opinion-with-the-bangkok-governor-election-just-days-away-we-are-already-seeing-candidates-self-destruct/

By Erich Parpart Former senator Rosana Tositrakul was not a frontrunner in the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election but that still did not stop her from taking the headlines earlier this month with some rather spectacular statements. While debating with other candidates on a television program, Rosana said she refused to be vaccinated with any Covid-19 vaccines from abroad because she believes in Thai herbs and medicines such as Fah Talai Jone. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe She said there were cases of people being cured of Covid because of a Fah Talai Jone course and the best way for Thai people to live with Covid is to rely on local remedies instead of buying Covid vaccines and medicines such as Favipiravir from abroad. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/39276/opinion-with-the-bangkok-governor-election-just-days-away-we-are-already-seeing-candidates-self-destruct/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-04-08 - 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 reports 25,140 new COVID-19 cases, 89 deaths, 24,854 recoveries File photo. Credit Thai PBS Thailand on Friday (8th April) reported 25,140 new COVID-19 cases, 24,854 recoveries and 89 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Fill story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256104-thailand-reports-25140-new-covid-19-cases-89-deaths-24854-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 25,140 new COVID-19 cases, 89 deaths, 24,854 recoveries File photo. Credit Thai PBS Thailand on Friday (8th April) reported 25,140 new COVID-19 cases, 24,854 recoveries and 89 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Fill story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256104-thailand-reports-25140-new-covid-19-cases-89-deaths-24854-recoveries/

File photo. Credit Thai PBS Thailand on Friday (8th April) reported 25,140 new COVID-19 cases, 24,854 recoveries and 89 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,833,048 with 25,877 deaths. The news comes as the Thai Ministry of Public Health has predicted that there will be a maximum average of 50,000 COVID-19 cases a day after the Songkran holidays next week, about 3,000 new cases of lung inflammation and 150 daily fatalities, if public cooperation in complying with safety measures remains at the present level. The scenario, as painted by the Public Health Ministry, is that, by April 19th, the number of new infections will surge to 50,000 a day and, in early May, the number of lung inflammation cases will be around 3,000 a day, with about 900 cases requiring ventilators, and the death toll will be around 150 per day.** **Thai PBS contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-04-08 - 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

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Slight increase in tourists to Hua Hin during Songkran as data reveals city’s popularity among millennials By Jonathan Fairfield Tourists visit Hua Hin night market. File photo The upcoming Songkran holiday is set to result in a slight increase in tourists visiting Hua Hin and other districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan province compared to last year. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256099-slight-increase-in-tourists-to-hua-hin-during-songkran-as-data-reveals-city’s-popularity-among-millennials/

Tourists visit Hua Hin night market. File photo By Jonathan Fairfield The upcoming Songkran holiday is set to result in a slight increase in tourists visiting Hua Hin and other districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan province compared to last year. According to data provided to Hua Hin Today by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, the occupancy rate for hotels in Hua Hin over Songkran is 47.46% from 71 hotels offering a total of 4,378 rooms. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe By comparison, the occupancy rate of hotels in Hua Hin during Songkran 2021 was 45.30%. Overall in Prachuap Khiri Khan hotel occupancy rate is 52.07% from 231 hotels offering 10,213 rooms, compared to 48.60% occupancy rate for the same period last year. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/slight-increase-in-tourists-to-hua-hin-during-songkran-as-data-reveals-citys-popularity-among-millennials/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-04-08 - 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

Stalled Chinese submarine shines light on Rolls Royce firm supplying engines to China’s military by Joseph O' Connor On Monday for the first time, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha suggested the possibility that the contract to supply the ฿13.5 billion S26T Yuan-class submarine to the Royal Thai Navy signed with a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding firm may have to be cancelled if the submarine cannot be supplied with the specified German MTU engines. The spotlight on Thailand’s submarine deal with China is also linked to the altered geopolitical environment after the Russian invasion of Ukraine with heightened sensitivity in the West, in particular in Germany, concerning the supply of critical engineering products to an expanding Chinese military. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1256098-stalled-chinese-submarine-shines-light-on-rolls-royce-firm-supplying-engines-to-china’s-military/

On Monday for the first time, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha suggested the possibility that the contract to supply the ฿13.5 billion S26T Yuan-class submarine to the Royal Thai Navy signed with a Chinese state-owned shipbuilding firm may have to be cancelled if the submarine cannot be supplied with the specified German MTU engines. These have been blocked by the German government on foot if European Union sanctions which were imposed after the Tiananmen Square massacre on the 4th of June 1989. It comes at a time of a sharpening examination of military procurement activities by Beijing. The submarine deal with China, since its unveiling in 2015, has generated massive public outcry in the kingdom and media coverage which may have contributed to a renewed focus on the supply of military hardware to China, up to now, classified as dual-purpose but which has been used to equip the Chinese Navy with superior western manufactured engines. by Joseph O' Connor The spotlight on Thailand’s submarine deal with China is also linked to the altered geopolitical environment after the Russian invasion of Ukraine with heightened sensitivity in the West, in particular in Germany, concerning the supply of critical engineering products to an expanding Chinese military. Officials with the Royal Thai Navy and representatives of the Chinese state-owned shipbuilding firm involved in the contract are to meet later in April with its potential cancellation threatening a severe blow to Thailand’s shift to China as a defence equipment supplier after the 2006 and 2014 coups in what is now a radically altered world. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The construction of Thailand’s S26T Yuan-class submarine has been halted after authorities in Berlin moved last month to prohibit the supply of German manufactured MTU engines for the project. This is linked to a 1989 embargo imposed by the European Union on China after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre which saw an uprising against communist rule in China bloodily suppressed by the military that year. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/07/submarine-deal-raises-questions-about-china/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-08 - 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