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Picture: Thai Rath Police in the province of Phangnga in the south of Thailand were called along with fire services after a 30 million baht Bentley caught fire in Ban Khanim. Behind the wheel of the Bentley - one of Thailand's most expensive cars - was Sri Panwa resort owner Worasit Issara - called Hiso Pla Waan by Thai Rath. Both him and a friend escaped uninjured. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The heir to a vast real estate fortune, Worasit told police that he was going from Khao Lak to Phuket and hit a roadside railing of some kind that caused him to spin and drag a whole load of straw onto the road surface. After they photographed the car it started to smoke and burst into flames. Thai Rath had post-accident pictures of damage to the front left side wheel of the supercar - then later its demise in smoke and flame. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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 Picture: Thai Rath Picture: Thai Rath Picture: Thai Rath Picture: Thai Rath

Vaccine holdouts are jeopardizing Thailand’s hard-earned Covid gains By Cod Satrusayang Thailand’s vaccine holdouts and anti-vaccine movement is jeopardizing the country’s hard-earned Covid-19 gained, a doctor at Vajira Hospital told Thai Enquirer on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254627-vaccine-holdouts-are-jeopardizing-thailand’s-hard-earned-covid-gains/

By Cod Satrusayang Thailand’s vaccine holdouts and anti-vaccine movement is jeopardizing the country’s hard-earned Covid-19 gained, a doctor at Vajira Hospital told Thai Enquirer on Friday. The country has seen increasing Covid-19 numbers fueled in part by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. On Friday, the country found over 26,000 new cases. More worryingly, the number of fatalities has also been high over the last two months with death rates between 50 – 100 fatalities per day. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38911/vaccine-holdouts-are-jeopardizing-thailands-hard-earned-covid-gains/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-25 - 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

Foreign fireman takes two ladies back to his room - they put out his flame in more ways than one! Daily News Thai Caption: Hunt on for two tricky ladies! Lumpini police are investigating after a Kuwaiti fireman got himself into trouble in downtown Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254626-foreign-fireman-takes-two-ladies-back-to-his-room-they-put-out-his-flame-in-more-ways-than-one/

Daily News Thai Caption: Hunt on for two tricky ladies! Lumpini police are investigating after a Kuwaiti fireman got himself into trouble in downtown Bangkok. The man was in Thailand staying at a hotel while his ailing mother, on a medical trip, was in a hospital. Taking advantage of some downtown, police said that the Kuwaiti went out drinking on Wednesday night and ended up bringing two ladies back to his Sukhumvit Soi 12 room. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Picture: Daily News However not long after the ladies were caught leaving separately on hotel CCTV the occupant of the room was incoherent claiming all sorts of things. He needed to be hospitalized at the Police Hospital before Lumpini police could get any sense out of him. It transpired that the ladies probably drugged the tourist. He said he thought it was in the coffee. Picture: Daily News The tourist claims to have lost $4,000 and 15,000 baht adding up to 200,000 baht (which it doesn't notes ASEAN NOW, more like 140K). Investigations continue. No names were given in the Daily News report. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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

Democrat defections: Thailand’s oldest party faces existential crisis as election looms The coalition Democrat Party has seen several high-profile defections over recent weeks, as politicians prepare for the next general election. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254619-democrat-defections-thailand’s-oldest-party-faces-existential-crisis-as-election-looms/

The coalition Democrat Party has seen several high-profile defections over recent weeks, as politicians prepare for the next general election. In fact, the phenomenon dubbed “Democrat bleeding” by the media began three years ago when Thailand’s oldest political party suffered a humiliating loss in the March 2019 general election. More than 20 well-known figures – including political veterans and heavyweights — sought greener pastures, either setting up a new party, defecting to an established coalition or opposition party, or joining a freshly founded one. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The leavers include former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya, former justice minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, former social development, and human security minister Witoon Nambutr, former culture minister Nipit Intarasombat, former university affairs minister Thawil Praisont, former deputy PM Kobsak Sabhavasu, Warong Dechgitvigrom, and Atavit Suwannapakdee. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/democrat-defections-thailands-oldest-party-faces-existential-crisis-as-election-looms/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-25 - 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

Welcome back to Thailand! French husband has 400,000 baht headache after theft from house Picture: Naew Na Just days after getting back to Thailand after years stuck in France due to the pandemic a French man and his wife came back to their home in Prakhonchai, Buriram. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254617-welcome-back-to-thailand-french-husband-has-400000-baht-headache-after-theft-from-house/

Picture: Naew Na Just days after getting back to Thailand after years stuck in France due to the pandemic a French man and his wife came back to their home in Prakhonchai, Buriram. They arrived back Thursday last week and were have a welcome home party with relatives and friends in the front of the house. Picture: Naew Na All was happy as the drinks flowed and the Moo Katha was eagerly consumed. Meanwhile they suspect that a thief slipped in via the back window, kept open by Mr Giles to get some airflow going in the hot weather. Gone were 800 Euros, a diamond and wedding ring and a designer bag all coming to 400,000 baht. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Thanyaporn, 40, the wife, said it was the last thing they expected after getting back following two years in France, reported Naew Na. Police captain Suthep Daengmeunwai of the Prakhonchai constabulary said that they were on the case and there were two miscreants in the frame for the blag at the farang's gaffe. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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 Picture: Naew Na

Thailand reports 26,050 new COVID-19 cases, 69 deaths, 22,219 recoveries File photo Thailand on Friday (March 25) reported 26,050 new COVID-19 cases, 22,219 recoveries and 69 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254609-thailand-reports-26050-new-covid-19-cases-69-deaths-22219-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Thailand reports 26,050 new COVID-19 cases, 69 deaths, 22,219 recoveries File photo Thailand on Friday (March 25) reported 26,050 new COVID-19 cases, 22,219 recoveries and 69 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254609-thailand-reports-26050-new-covid-19-cases-69-deaths-22219-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Friday (March 25) reported 26,050 new COVID-19 cases, 22,219 recoveries and 69 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,477,030 with 24,648 deaths. The news comes as the Thai Medical Services Department signed an agreement with Pfizer (Thailand) yesterday (Thursday) to procure 50,000 courses (2 million tablets) of the Paxlovid anti-viral medicine for the treatment of COVID-19. The delivery of the drug is expected in mid-April. Director-General of the department Dr. Somsak Akksilp said that the oral medication can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death in severe COVID-19 cases by about 88%, if administered within five days of first symptoms being detected, according to clinical trials.** ** 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 Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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

please continue here: Banks downgraded as the Banks downgraded as the Thai economy faces a liquidity crisis caused by war and tourism barriers https://aseannow.com/topic/1254597-banks-downgraded-as-the-thai-economy-faces-a-liquidity-crisis-caused-by-war-and-tourism-barriers/ //CLOSED// /Admin

Former Pattaya Deputy Mayor Poramase Ngampiches to run for Pattaya Mayor next election By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Post Today Pattaya, Chonburi – Former Pattaya Deputy Mayor and vice-minister for culture Poramase Ngampiches yesterday, March 23rd, announced a run for Pattaya Mayor on behalf of the “Rao Rak Pattaya” group in the upcoming election in May. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254598-former-pattaya-deputy-mayor-poramase-ngampiches-to-run-for-pattaya-mayor-next-election/

PHOTO: Post Today By Nop Meechukhun Pattaya, Chonburi – Former Pattaya Deputy Mayor and vice-minister for culture Poramase Ngampiches yesterday, March 23rd, announced a run for Pattaya Mayor on behalf of the “Rao Rak Pattaya” group in the upcoming election in May. Currently appointed Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume, in the role since September of 2018, who served his last day today March 24th, has decided not to run for election, however, Poramase is a member of the same political group and is campaigning on a platform to continue and finish the work Sonthaya started. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe With his work experience in both national and local government, Poramase revealed that he was not pressured to become a candidate and was ready to solve Pattaya people’s problems, especially on the issue of earning a proper living after suffering from Covid-19 hardship for two years. Poramase, like his competition, is well aware that the topic of Covid restrictions and loss of almost all tourism revenue is a major one for Pattaya and that any successful candidate will need to explain how the city will return to “normality” and fully reopen to tourism, both domestic and foreign. He said: “The first thing that I would solve was the issue of how Pattaya people could earn a living again. In the past two years, the city of Pattaya became dry. It was almost unlike the same tourist attraction that had previously generated more than 300 billion baht in revenue per year, was the 19th most visited city in the world, and had ten million foreign tourists and seven million domestic in 2019. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/24/former-pattaya-deputy-mayor-poramase-ngampiches-to-run-for-pattaya-mayor-next-election/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-25 - 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

Banks downgraded as the Thai economy faces a liquidity crisis caused by war and tourism barriers by Joseph O' Connor Krystal Tan, a senior economist with Australia’s second-largest banking group ANZ, speaking on Bloomberg TV this week. She highlighted the impact of rising oil prices on Thailand’s energy-dependent economy and the loss of Russian tourists as significant downsides. She said that all this meant the kingdom was now more likely to see a second current account deficit this year. It comes as, S&P, the leading rating agency, downgraded four top Thai banks based on raised systematic risk as the kingdom still faces large losses in foreign tourism income with controlled entry into the country still in place. Officials are hoping to abolish this by July 1st next. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254597-banks-downgraded-as-the-thai-economy-faces-a-liquidity-crisis-caused-by-war-and-tourism-barriers/

Krystal Tan, a senior economist with Australia’s second-largest banking group ANZ, speaking on Bloomberg TV this week. She highlighted the impact of rising oil prices on Thailand’s energy-dependent economy and the loss of Russian tourists as significant downsides. She said that all this meant the kingdom was now more likely to see a second current account deficit this year. It comes as, S&P, the leading rating agency, downgraded four top Thai banks based on raised systematic risk as the kingdom still faces large losses in foreign tourism income with controlled entry into the country still in place. Officials are hoping to abolish this by July 1st next. by Joseph O' Connor Thailand’s economy remains highly dependent on both exports and foreign tourism with the current storm again highlighting this factor. The loss of foreign tourism income since March 2020 is the single biggest impact factor as the country is now confronted by what could be a growing liquidity crisis and consistently high current account deficits if urgent action is not taken. After this, comes the threat from increasingly dangerous geopolitical tensions and concerns over China as financial capital takes flight from Asia with US interest rate rises. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The surging price of oil and spiralling demand within the kingdom is the latest problem for the government but the continued loss of foreign tourism income has and continues to inflict long term damage to Thailand’s financial position and financial liquidity with consistently high current account deficits. The country’s economy is being tested by dangerous geopolitical tensions, rising interest rates in the United States and a flight of capital out of Asia as investor confidence wanes not only in Asia but across the world in a situation not seen since the banking crisis of 2008. This has led to the downgrade of four Thai banks this week by rating agency S&P which saw the Bank of Thailand move to underline that the banking system in the country is strong enough to withstand any uncertainty or economic shocks. The rating agency Standard and Poor or S&P Ratings, one of the three biggest firms in the world, is understood to have downgraded four leading Thai banks in a report published on Tuesday by the International Financing Review (IFR), a leading financial magazine published in London. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/24/thai-banks-downgraded-fears-over-liquidity/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-25 - 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

Pattaya mayor makes merit, steps down and works his last day as the city prepares for first election in about a decade By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- The Pattaya mayor along with many of his team members paid respect to religious figures at the Pattaya City Hall today, making merit, before stepping down on their final day of work as part of the leadup to the massive mayoral election in May. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254595-pattaya-mayor-makes-merit-steps-down-and-works-his-last-day-as-the-city-prepares-for-first-election-in-about-a-decade/

By Goong Nang(GN) Pattaya- The Pattaya mayor along with many of his team members paid respect to religious figures at the Pattaya City Hall today, making merit, before stepping down on their final day of work as part of the leadup to the massive mayoral election in May. March 24th, the outgoing Pattaya mayor Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem went to pay respect to the holy entities including the joss house, Mother Earth, Ganesha (the elephant-headed god), and the royal monument of King Taksin the Great in succession at the Pattaya City Hall before stepping down from his position. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/24/pattaya-mayor-makes-merit-steps-down-and-works-his-last-day-as-the-city-prepares-for-first-election-in-about-a-decade/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-25 - 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

Police Urged to Compromise with Home Cannabis Growers KHON KAEN, (TNA) – The commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 4 ordered subordinates to make considered judgement on law enforcement following the arrest of two elderly women for growing a cannabis plant at home. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254594-police-urged-to-compromise-with-home-cannabis-growers/

KHON KAEN, (TNA) – The commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 4 ordered subordinates to make considered judgement on law enforcement following the arrest of two elderly women for growing a cannabis plant at home. The commissioner sent his order to all police stations under his jurisdiction after police at the Ubonrat station had arrested two elderly women for having one cannabis plant. If people grew a few plants for the treatment of their illness, not for any commercial purpose, police should create understanding about relevant laws instead of immediate enforcement, according to the order. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe Yesterday (March 23) Pol Col Direkrit Panrueansaen, chief of the Ubonrat station in Khon Kaen province, said that an informant told his subordinates that cannabis was illegally grown at a house in Ubonrat district. Police then visited the house and saw a cannabis plant standing nearly two meters tall in front of it. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-909407 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-25 - 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 and Sports Ministry to propose “Thailand Pass” cancellation and introduce single ATK test to spur tourism growth By Nop Meechukhun PHOTO: Prachachat Bangkok – The Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” scheme and introduce a single ATK test to welcome international tourists and spur tourism growth. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254593-tourism-and-sports-ministry-to-propose-“thailand-pass”-cancellation-and-introduce-single-atk-test-to-spur-tourism-growth/

PHOTO: Prachachat By Nop Meechukhun Bangkok – The Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” scheme and introduce a single ATK test to welcome international tourists and spur tourism growth. Tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed at the 2022 general meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) today, March 24th, that the ministry would propose a plan to revoke the “Thailand Pass”, hopefully, to be implemented from June 1st onwards, in order to enhance more opportunities for the tourism sector to recover from the Covid-19 situation hardship. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe In short, the plan would encourage traveling to Thailand to return to normal as in 2019 or before the Covid-19 global pandemic, Phiphat said. Travelers would not be required to register either “Test&Go” or “Sandbox” or “Quarantine Tourism” and, in principle, should not require a Covid-19 test. However, the minister suggested that ATK testing should still be conducted on the first day of arrival for public confidence or that the test could be optional but encouraged. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/24/tourism-and-sports-ministry-to-propose-thailand-pass-cancellation-and-introduce-single-atk-test-to-spur-tourism-growth/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-25 - 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

No increase for Thai based UK Pensioners: vote here to get this changed by Michael Bridge Rishi Sunak announced an array of measures in his 2021 Budget (Photo: PA) Recently the UK government announced that UK pensions were being increased to keep pace with inflation, but not if you have retired to Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1254591-no-increase-for-thai-based-uk-pensioners-vote-here-to-get-this-changed/

Rishi Sunak announced an array of measures in his 2021 Budget (Photo: PA) by Michael Bridge Recently the UK government announced that UK pensions were being increased to keep pace with inflation, but not if you have retired to Thailand. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak unveiled a wide-ranging series of new measures in his 2021 Budget this week, from an overhaul of alcohol duty to reinforcing a freeze on fuel duty. Public sector pay rises, a hike to the national minimum wage and a £6bn cash injection for the NHS had already been revealed ahead of the speech on Wednesday. In his address, the Chancellor promised to help families meet the rising cost of living as he painted a positive picture about the health of the economy as it recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. What does the 2021 Budget mean for pensions? There was very little mention of specific policies for pensioners in Mr Sunak’s announcement. Indeed, the Chancellor’s only explicit reference to pensioners came when he said he will consult on further changes to the regulatory charge cap for pensions schemes, in a bid to “unlock institutional investment while protecting savers.” One reason for the scarcity of new information would be that the year’s major pensions announcement – the scrapping of the triple lock – came back in September. Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe The Government broke a manifesto pledge by introducing a new “double lock” system for the next year, to account for the way the Covid pandemic has inflated wage growth. Because of this, we know that from next year the state pension will increase 3.1 per cent in line with the latest UK inflation rates. This was pointed out by Helen Morrissey, senior pensions, and retirement analyst at the financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown. She said: “Today has been one of the quieter Budgets from a pension perspective. However, this is only because we have had so many announcements already this year. “Given this backdrop it’s understandable no further pension changes were announced today – pensioners already have much to think about.” How much will pensions increase in 2022? Pensioners are in line for an increase of £5.55 a week next year after inflation dipped slightly. The Office for National Statistics said the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation, which will be used to calculate the uplift, fell to 3.1 per cent in September, from 3.2 per cent in August. Alistair McQueen, head of savings and retirement at Aviva, said: “Today’s 3.1 per cent inflation (CPI) figure will predict the rise in the value of the state pension from April 2022. “If confirmed by Government, this should represent a £5.55 rise in the weekly value of the full new state pension in April 2022, from £179.60 to £185.15.” The triple lock guarantees that the state pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent – whichever is higher. However, its replacement the double lock means that the link between pensions and wage growth has been severed for a year. If it were still in place, the triple lock would have given pensioners a boost of around eight per cent next year – around £14 more a week for some. But no Increase for Thai based UK Pensioners Many U.K. citizens living abroad do not receive annual increase in pension payments. This is entirely unjust! Why should we not get equal rights? Pensioners living abroad are less of a strain on the National Health (not using the services of G.Ps., emergency services etc.), in most cases having to fund health care including care homes privately. Not receiving Winter Fuel Payment, not receiving discounted travel on public transport. Yet we are still penalized! It is only fair that the Government treats all its citizens on an equal basis! There is now a petition running on a government site and currently, they had close to 9,000 signatures. With 10,000 the government must respond. Reach 100,000 and the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. So, make the effort and please add your name, and share this article so more can sign https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601821 -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-25 - 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