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Thailand Eyes Becoming Regional EV Manufacturing Hub by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has indicated its intentions to position Thailand as a regional manufacturing base for electric vehicles (EVs), with tax cuts and other measures rolling out to attract more investments. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254902-thailand-eyes-becoming-regional-ev-manufacturing-hub/

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has indicated its intentions to position Thailand as a regional manufacturing base for electric vehicles (EVs), with tax cuts and other measures rolling out to attract more investments. Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had asked related agencies to monitor customer trends at the Bangkok International Motor Show, following the government’s rollout of measures to encourage the use of EVs. Visitors to the auto show have shown a keen interest in EVs, due to the subsidy program offered by the government. Under the scheme, the purchase of an EV with a participating brand can receive a subsidy of 70,000 to 150,000 baht. The subsidy is being funded by the Excise Department, with a total campaign budget of 3 billion baht. The department says it is open to discussing pricing structures with any of the auto brands. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Major EV brands at Bangkok International Motor Show that are participating in the subsidy scheme include Great Wall Motor and MG. Other companies that have expressed their intention to join the scheme include European carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Japanese brands such as Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan, and Chinese companies like Foxconn and NETA Auto. The Bangkok International Motor Show 2022 is currently taking place at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani exhibition center in Nonthaburi and will conclude on April 3. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-28 - 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

TRUE-DTAC merger likely to be given green light, says government source By Cod Satrusayang Thai regulators are “very likely” to approve a merger deal between True Corporation and Total Access Communication but may run into opposition from the current Minister of Digital Economy, a government insider told Thai Enquirer on Monday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254901-true-dtac-merger-likely-to-be-given-green-light-says-government-source/

By Cod Satrusayang Thai regulators are “very likely” to approve a merger deal between True Corporation and Total Access Communication but may run into opposition from the current Minister of Digital Economy, a government insider told Thai Enquirer on Monday. Both companies informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in February, that their boards of directors approved the deal to form a new mobile player by merging them together. They expect the merger will likely be completed by the third quarter of 2022. However, the deal still requires approval from shareholders and Thai regulators at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38951/true-dtac-merger-likely-to-be-given-green-light-says-government-source/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-28 - 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-Malaysia land border entry SOPs guarantee public health, says Songkhla deputy governor A sign is seen at the Malaysia-Thailand border at Padang Besar. — Picture via Twitter/Bernama SONGKHLA, March 27 — The reopening of two Thailand-Malaysia land border gates on April 1 will comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the safety and health of tourists and locals are always protected. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254899-thailand-malaysia-land-border-entry-sops-guarantee-public-health-says-songkhla-deputy-governor/

A sign is seen at the Malaysia-Thailand border at Padang Besar. — Picture via Twitter/Bernama SONGKHLA, March 27 — The reopening of two Thailand-Malaysia land border gates on April 1 will comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the safety and health of tourists and locals are always protected. Deputy Governor of Songkhla province, Amphon Pongsuwan, said the two border gates of Sadao (Songkhla province)-Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah) and Wang Prachan (Satun)-Wang Kelian (Perlis) will be reopened to tourists fully vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccine, starting from April 1. He said all tourists who will be coming through the land border gate under the ‘Test & Go’ programme will have to apply online for the ‘Thailand Pass’ at least seven days before travel. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/03/27/thailand-malaysia-land-border-entry-sops-guarantee-public-health-says-songk/2049867 -- © Copyright Malay Mail 2022-03-28 - 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

Two dead, one injured as motorcycles collide at Bangkok intersection Picture: Thai Rath Sai Mai police and rescue services responded to an accident on Pahonyothin Road inbound at the Phlathikarn Intersection. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254895-two-dead-one-injured-as-motorcycles-collide-at-bangkok-intersection/

Picture: Thai Rath Sai Mai police and rescue services responded to an accident on Pahonyothin Road inbound at the Phlathikarn Intersection. A PCX with driver and pillion passenger was waiting at the red light. They were hit from behind by a man on an Xmax. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The 19 year old pillion passenger was declared dead at the scene and named as Yossaphat. The driver of the Xmax 48 year old Chaiyos was also dead. The driver of the PCX was taken to hospital and had not been identified in the Thai Rath story. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

Golf caddy tells of horrific acid attack by former husband Picture: Daily News Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254892-golf-caddy-tells-of-horrific-acid-attack-by-former-husband/

Picture: Daily News A Thai woman has turned to the Paveena Hongsakul foundation for help in getting justice after she was attacked by her ex husband. He threw a flask full of acid in "Neung's" face in an ambush back in September 2021. Picture: Daily News Neung was splattered in the face and neck area. Two men sped away on motorcycles. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Neung has been lured to a quiet area of Ban Pong on the pretext of signing a loan deal. Her attacker disguised by clothes and helmet turned out to be her ex husband with whom she had refused to reconcile. Picture: Daily News They had two daughters together who up until Paveena's interest in the case from January were with the father, the lady's attacker. Now the Nong Prue, Pattaya, police are finally getting their act together with a charge of assault causing grievous bodily harm, reported Daily News. Picture: Daily News Neung suffered multiple complications from her injuries as a result of the acid attack. The news reports likened her fate to being burned alive but still being alive. She spent 3 months in hospital after the attack on September 21st. An attack that robbed the pretty 31 year old of her looks and her health. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

Top doc's advice to prevent Covid spread - toilet cleaner Daily News Thai Caption: Use toilet cleaner Thailand's top virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan went on his Facebook page to advise people to use toilet cleaner in the fight to contain Covid. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254876-top-docs-advice-to-prevent-covid-spread-toilet-cleaner/

Daily News Thai Caption: Use toilet cleaner Thailand's top virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan went on his Facebook page to advise people to use toilet cleaner in the fight to contain Covid. The Chula medic is worried about infectious ATK, testing kits, being thrown away in regular trash. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe After use the doctor has advised that an ATK kit is given a good dousing in toilet cleaner. That'll stop the spread from this particular nasty source, reported Daily News. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

78 partygoers arrested in Bangkok - 33 test positive for drugs Picture: Thai Rath Complaints from residents about noise and vehicles coming and going led to a police raid in Thung Khru, Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254874-78-partygoers-arrested-in-bangkok-33-test-positive-for-drugs/

Picture: Thai Rath Complaints from residents about noise and vehicles coming and going led to a police raid in Thung Khru, Bangkok. Partying contrary to emergency decree and infectious disease rules were 77 people aged 16 to 37 and one seventeen year old. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe They had rented out four giant VIP massage style rooms, suggested Thai Rath. 33 had a purple urine test that indicated substance abuse. Two - a man aged 30 and a 29 year old woman - were booked for ketamine possession of a few grams. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

Widespread damage from severe hail storm in NE Thailand Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported severe damage to property and power lines after a powerful storm accompanied by hail stones hit large swathes of north eastern Thailand at the weekend. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254872-widespread-damage-from-severe-hail-storm-in-ne-thailand/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath reported severe damage to property and power lines after a powerful storm accompanied by hail stones hit large swathes of north eastern Thailand at the weekend. Top billing on a YouTube posted video was staff and customers at a gas station in Mukhdahan running from the storm. It damaged the roof and cars. Dozens of other homes were hit all across Isaan with Roi-Et and Chaiyaphum featured in the video. Some resembled pictures of people hit by hurricanes. Later workers were busy cutting down trees that had fallen on power lines causing powercuts in much of the region. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Thai Rath Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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

Thailand reports 24,635 new COVID-19 cases, 81 deaths, 25,753 recoveries File photo Thailand on Monday (March 28) reported 24,635 new COVID-19 cases, 25,753 recoveries and 81 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254869-thailand-reports-24635-new-covid-19-cases-81-deaths-25753-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 24,635 new COVID-19 cases, 81 deaths, 25,753 recoveries File photo Thailand on Monday (March 28) reported 24,635 new COVID-19 cases, 25,753 recoveries and 81 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254869-thailand-reports-24635-new-covid-19-cases-81-deaths-25753-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Monday (March 28) reported 24,635 new COVID-19 cases, 25,753 recoveries and 81 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Monday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,553,720 with 24,880 deaths. The news comes as new information now points to Long COVID increasing the risk of diabetes, on top of earlier reported neurological issues. A researcher at the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) explained the recent finding, which was reported in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal. The study was based on data from 8.5 million people, 181,000 had previously contracted COVID-19. The researchers found that former COVID patients had an increased risk of developing diabetes within a year after recovering. The risk is not limited to people who have had severe Covid symptoms. BIOTEC virologist Anan Jongkaewwattana explained that the risk was unrelated to factors normally contributing to diabetes, such as obesity or high blood pressure. He noted that people who were otherwise healthy before contracting COVID-19 faced the same risk.** ** NNT contributed to this report Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-28 - 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: American and western arrogance will lose this region to China’s influence By Cod Satrusayang There have been many editorials on the pages of this outlet dedicated to countering, exposing, and shedding light on China’s increasing influence in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific region. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254867-opinion-american-and-western-arrogance-will-lose-this-region-to-china’s-influence/

By Cod Satrusayang There have been many editorials on the pages of this outlet dedicated to countering, exposing, and shedding light on China’s increasing influence in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific region. For the past ten years, Beijing has courted, bribed, invested, and threatened their way into domestic political conversations from Bangkok to Tokyo, from Seoul to Yangon. Like it or not, the region now lives under the shadow of Beijings growing military and economic might. The west has looked on with alarm as Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative snares one country after another while its Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank now rivals the IMF and the World Bank prestige and credit. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Yet despite its anxiety at China’s growing might, the “west” (if there is such a thing anymore) continues to mismanage its Far East policy and continues to lose influence and prestige among leaders in the region. Take Thailand for example, years of neglect by Washington and her allies have ensured that today’s batch of leaders look to Beijing for investment, military equipment, and direction. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38945/opinion-american-and-western-arrogance-will-lose-this-region-to-chinas-influence/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-28 - 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

5 times Blackpink’s Lisa proved she’s Thailand’s unofficial princess Blackpink’s Lisa delighted fans back home when she dropped her Thai-inspired music video for Lalisa. Photo: @sooyaaa___/Instagram ● The Lalisa star wore a Swarovski-studded Thai-inspired outfit complete with pointed gold headdress for her first solo music video – and fans were in raptures ● When she mentioned the meatball vendors in her hometown of Buriram, they saw a 1,000 per cent spike in sales – now one stall is giving away free food on her birthday as a thank you Ji Won Chung Blackpink’s Lisa flew back to Thailand for the first time in almost three years recently, and fans were overjoyed to learn that she’d be spending her birthday there. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254859-5-times-blackpink’s-lisa-proved-she’s-thailand’s-unofficial-princess/

Blackpink’s Lisa delighted fans back home when she dropped her Thai-inspired music video for Lalisa. Photo: @sooyaaa___/Instagram ● The Lalisa star wore a Swarovski-studded Thai-inspired outfit complete with pointed gold headdress for her first solo music video – and fans were in raptures ● When she mentioned the meatball vendors in her hometown of Buriram, they saw a 1,000 per cent spike in sales – now one stall is giving away free food on her birthday as a thank you Ji Won Chung Blackpink’s Lisa flew back to Thailand for the first time in almost three years recently, and fans were overjoyed to learn that she’d be spending her birthday there. The singer has said that she’s missed her hometown, and it was heart warming to hear that she’d be able to spend her special day with family and friends. So, to celebrate, we’re taking a look at five reasons Lisa Manobal has more than proved herself to be Thailand’s most beloved (unofficial) princess. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe 1. She wore an extravagant traditional Thai outfit for her first solo music video Lisa was keen to honour her Thai roots in her debut solo MV for Lalisa. Photo: YG Entertainment The dazzling traditional Thai outfit that Lisa wore for her solo Lalisa music video stole the spotlight big time – and every aspect of it was infused with Thai culture. Hand-embroidered with Thai brocade golden silk, adorned with Swarovski crystals, and designed specifically for Lisa by Bangkok-based designer Polpat Asavaprapha, the outfit was truly unforgettable. Full story: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3171873/5-times-blackpinks-lisa-proved-shes-thailands-unofficial -- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-03-28 - 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 Government spokesperson, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchan, tests positive for Covid-19 By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – Thai Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana announced that he tested positive for the Covid-19 Coronavirus with the RT-PCR method, March 27th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254856-thai-government-spokesperson-thanakorn-wangboonkongchan-tests-positive-for-covid-19/