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file photo By Online Reporter Motorists in Thailand are advised to only apply for a driver’s license at a Department of Land Transport (DLT) office in order to avoid being duped by scammers. The DLT says that to apply for a driver’s license, the applicant must attend one of its offices to submit the application in person. The applicant will be required to submit the necessary documents, including photographs, as well as pass a physical, written and driving test. The warning comes following an increase in incidents where scammers claim to be able to obtain a driver’s license without the need to undergo the testing or examinations required to be granted a license in Thailand. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/motorists-in-thailand-urged-not-to-fall-for-drivers-license-application-scam/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-03-05 - 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

Fears for Thailand’s economy over Ukraine war with rising inflation rates and loss of confidence by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor The Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Sanan Angubolkul has warned that the war in Ukraine could last for quite a while and will have a deteriorating effect on Thailand’s economy with reduced consumer confidence and spending power. It comes as oil and energy prices worldwide have surged with Thai National Shippers’ Council Chairman Chaichan Chareonsuk confirming that already exports in the second quarter will be down by $4 billion to $5 billion. Thai exporters say that shipments will be off by between $4 billion and $5 billion by the end of June. At the same time, the insecurity caused by the war will impact world travel and tourism as well as consumer confidence at home. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252371-fears-for-thailand’s-economy-over-ukraine-war-with-rising-inflation-rates-and-loss-of-confidence/

The Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Sanan Angubolkul has warned that the war in Ukraine could last for quite a while and will have a deteriorating effect on Thailand’s economy with reduced consumer confidence and spending power. It comes as oil and energy prices worldwide have surged with Thai National Shippers’ Council Chairman Chaichan Chareonsuk confirming that already exports in the second quarter will be down by $4 billion to $5 billion. by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor Thai exporters say that shipments will be off by between $4 billion and $5 billion by the end of June. At the same time, the insecurity caused by the war will impact world travel and tourism as well as consumer confidence at home. This week, Mr Sanan Angubolkul, the Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said he expects this war to last for some time bringing with it rising energy costs and disruption to world trade caused by economic sanctions. This is worrying for the kingdom which reached the edges of its economic limits last year before the reopening of the country to foreign tourism on November 1st last. The Prime Minister chaired an advisory council meeting on Wednesday at which the rising headwinds to the country’s economic recovery were discussed. Chief among them was concern over the war in Ukraine which threatens to impede worldwide economic activity as world energy prices soar to unsustainable levels. At the same time, the Bank of Thailand has said it is reviewing its projections for inflation in Thailand but for now, insists that they will be still in the 1% to 3% range for this year. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan ocha has ordered plans drawn up to ease the hardship on Thailand’s most vulnerable families, particularly with regard to electricity costs and directed his economic team’s efforts towards fighting the crippling problem of household debt in the country. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/03/04/thai-economic-fears-rise-over-ukraine-war/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-03-05 - 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

6 Countries Collaboratively Address Mekong's Impacts BANGKOK, (TNA) – Six countries standing along the Mekong River join forces to cope with the impacts of fluctuating discharges in the river, according to the Office of the National Water Resources. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252370-6-countries-collaboratively-address-mekongs-impacts/

BANGKOK, (TNA) – Six countries standing along the Mekong River join forces to cope with the impacts of fluctuating discharges in the river, according to the Office of the National Water Resources. ONWR deputy secretary-general Chayan Muangsong said that China raised the discharge rate of the Jinghong Dam on the river on March 1 and consequently the level of the river surged. China kept changing the discharge rate and downstream countries had to always monitor the level of the river closely, he said. The downstream countries informed China of their concern and asked it to set a clear pattern of the discharge rates. Previously China kept answering that changes in the river did not result from it alone, he said. Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-895365 -- © Copyright TNA 2022-03-05 - 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’s Tourism Authority aims to attract 10 million foreign tourists in 2022, with India as a leading focus By Nop Meechukhun National – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to attract 10 million foreign tourists, mostly from ASEAN countries, in 2022 to revive global and domestic tourism industries. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252369-thailand’s-tourism-authority-aims-to-attract-10-million-foreign-tourists-in-2022-with-india-as-a-leading-focus/

By Nop Meechukhun National – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to attract 10 million foreign tourists, mostly from ASEAN countries, in 2022 to revive global and domestic tourism industries. Tourists from ASEAN countries have now become the main target group in Thailand as Chinese tourists, who have always been a major potential group for Thai tourism, had drastically declined as the Chinese government still insists on its “Zero Covid” policy, closing international borders and prohibiting its people from traveling overseas in tour groups, a popular way to travel. Long quarantines are required to return to China. Tanes Petsuwan, Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, said that TAT had set a goal for a number of tourists in the “short-term market” (mostly nearby countries who generally travel for short trips with short flight times) at around 5 million people. Of which, the biggest, at, 1.5 million, would be Indian tourists following the Cabinet’s approval of the ‘Thai-India Air Travel Bubble’. About 12 airlines had agreed to participate in the government campaign. According to TAT, it was estimated that the passenger load factor would be at a 70 percent average. The second group was Australian tourists which would be about 200,000 people. Currently, flights from Thai Airways and Qantas were available. Moreover, the Australian authorities had adjusted their preventive measures, allowing arrivals to enter the country without mandatory quarantine. It had been reported that advance bookings for flights from Australia to Thailand during the Easter season in April this year had already reached 80 percent. The third group was ASEAN tourists, accountable for 800,000 people, that TAT had already proposed cooperation with regional airlines. As of Wednesday, TAT and Thai Vietjet Airline had signed a letter of intent (LOI), effective for one year, to jointly plan marketing strategies and activities to promote tourism experiences in the ASEAN market in order to stimulate domestic travel in Thailand and increase potential tourists from Vietnam and Cambodia. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/thailands-tourism-authority-aims-to-attract-10-million-foreign-tourists-in-2022-with-india-as-a-leading-focus/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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 receives United Nations Public Service Awards for five consecutive years for improving public services nationwide By Nop Meechukhun National – Thailand has won the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) award for five consecutive years for improving public services and internal bureaucratic reforms nationwide, a deputy spokesperson announced today, March 4th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252368-thailand-receives-united-nations-public-service-awards-for-five-consecutive-years-for-improving-public-services-nationwide/

By Nop Meechukhun National – Thailand has won the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) award for five consecutive years for improving public services and internal bureaucratic reforms nationwide, a deputy spokesperson announced today, March 4th. Ratchada Thanadirek of the government’s office revealed that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha had ordered all state agencies to continue to proceed with the country’s reforms in line with the government’s national strategies to improve people’s quality of life. She also added that over the past five years, the government had followed its policies that had developed changes in many dimensions and had improved public satisfaction, leading Thailand to receive the UNPSA award since 2017. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/thailand-receives-united-nations-public-service-awards-for-five-consecutive-years-for-improving-public-services-nationwide/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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

Cricket legend Shane Warne passes away from suspected heart attack at Koh Samui villa in Thailand By Adam Judd Koh Samui, Thailand-Shane Warne, 52, from Australia, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of all time and who was well-known for his revival of the leg-spin in Cricket passed away at his villa from a suspected heart attack this morning, March 4th, in Koh Samui. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252367-cricket-legend-shane-warne-passes-away-from-suspected-heart-attack-at-koh-samui-villa-in-thailand/

By Adam Judd Koh Samui, Thailand-Shane Warne, 52, from Australia, widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of all time and who was well-known for his revival of the leg-spin in Cricket passed away at his villa from a suspected heart attack this morning, March 4th, in Koh Samui. A statement from his management company MPC Entertainment read “It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/cricket-legend-shane-warne-passes-away-from-suspected-heart-attack-at-koh-samui-villa-in-thailand/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Unidentified man drowns in Sri Racha lagoon while fishing, police suspect man was heavily intoxicated By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO: Si Racha Newspaper Sri Racha-An unidentified man drowned in a lagoon in Sri Racha while fishing and drinking alcohol earlier this week. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252366-unidentified-man-drowns-in-sri-racha-lagoon-while-fishing-police-suspect-man-was-heavily-intoxicated/

PHOTO: Si Racha Newspaper By Goong Nang(GN) Sri Racha-An unidentified man drowned in a lagoon in Sri Racha while fishing and drinking alcohol earlier this week. Police were notified of the incident at a lagoon in Nong Tayoo in the Surasak sub-district yesterday afternoon, March 3rd, 2022. Police and rescue divers arrived at the scene to find the lagoon which is about five to ten meters deep. The body of an unidentified man was found floating face down in the lagoon. A fishing net and empty whisky bottles were found on land near the lagoon and assumed to have belonged to the man. His body was recovered from the lagoon by rescue workers who said there was no sign of suspicious activity, however, the man was entangled in a fishing net and Sri Racha police believe the man was likely heavily intoxicated while fishing, leaving to his accidental drowning after getting drunkenly stuck in his own net. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/03/04/unidentified-man-drowns-in-sri-racha-lagoon-while-fishing-police-suspect-man-was-heavily-intoxicated/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-03-05 - 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

Despite inflation, BOT to maintain record low rates until the second half of 2023 By Erich Parpart The market’s consensus on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike is changing, but the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is still expected to hold its rates until the second half of 2023, according to Standard Chartered Bank. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252363-despite-inflation-bot-to-maintain-record-low-rates-until-the-second-half-of-2023/

By Erich Parpart The market’s consensus on the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike is changing, but the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is still expected to hold its rates until the second half of 2023, according to Standard Chartered Bank. “We expect a 25 basis point per hike for four times in a row this year, between March and July,” Tim Leelahaphan, Bangkok-based economist for Vietnam and Thailand at Standard Chartered Bank told Thai Enquirer via phone on Friday. “Some houses earlier saw more than four times this year, and some expect a 50 basis point increase at a time, but the consensus is changing, some even saw only three hikes this year,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38243/despite-inflation-bot-to-maintain-record-low-rates-until-the-second-half-of-2023/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-05 - 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

February’s inflation rises to highest since 2008 on energy surge By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) in February jumped beyond expectations by 5.28 per cent year-on-year, driven by a spike in energy prices, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252361-february’s-inflation-rises-to-highest-since-2008-on-energy-surge/

By Panithan Onthaworn Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) in February jumped beyond expectations by 5.28 per cent year-on-year, driven by a spike in energy prices, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. The figures exceeded market expectations of around a 4-per-cent rise, as global fuel prices continued to climb along with domestic food prices. In January, CPI rose by 3.2 per cent year-on-year. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said the headline inflation in February was the highest level seen since September 2008. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38227/februarys-inflation-rises-5-28-on-energy-surge/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-05 - 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

to continue: Thailand Live Saturday 5 March 2022 https://aseannow.com/topic/1252360-thailand-live-saturday-5-march-2022/

Thai Supreme Court judicial panel upholds sentence for ex-minister Wattana Muangsook A judicial panel of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions upheld the 99-year prison term yesterday (Friday), which was imposed on former minister of Social Development and Human Security Watana Muangsook after he was found guilty of malfeasance in office and ten other offences in connection with the Eua-Arthorn housing project about 16 years ago. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252343-thai-supreme-court-judicial-panel-upholds-sentence-for-ex-minister-wattana-muangsook/

Thailand Windsurfing Championships 2022 and Pattaya International Windsurfing Cup 2022 is underway at Jomtien Beach Thailand Windsurfing Championships 2022 & Pattaya International Windsurfing Cup 2022 are being held until tomorrow (March 5th) on Jomtien Beach. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252312-thailand-windsurfing-championships-2022-and-pattaya-international-windsurfing-cup-2022-is-underway-at-jomtien-beach/

Thai court won’t let student activist on lèse majesté charge study in Germany The Bangkok South Criminal Court has rejected an application from a Thai student, currently facing a lèse majesté charge, seeking to be allowed to pursue her post-graduate studies in Germany under a scholarship program. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252294-thai-court-won’t-let-student-activist-on-lèse-majesté-charge-study-in-germany/

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The Bangkok South Criminal Court has rejected an application from a Thai student, currently facing a lèse majesté charge, seeking to be allowed to pursue her post-graduate studies in Germany under a scholarship program. According to Krisadang Nutcharat, a lawyer at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the decision is the second against Ravisara Eksgool, aka “Dear”, a graduate student of the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University. She has been awarded a scholarship by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), under the Helmut Schmidt program for postgraduate courses, to undertake Master of Management in Non-Profit Organizations, at the University of Applied Sciences and a preparatory language course in Germany from April 4th, 2022 until August 31st, 2024. Krisadang said that yesterday (Thursday) the Bangkok South Criminal Court issued an order rejecting Ravisara’s application, claiming that it could not be sure that she will be able to comply with the proposed conditions during her time in Germany and may try to evade a trial. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-court-wont-let-student-activist-on-lese-majeste-charge-study-in-germany/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-04 - 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

Taskforce mobilized to investigate deaths of two elephants in south at hands of ivory poachers The chief of the San Kila Khiri national park in Songkhla in the far south of Thailand said that a force of 90 people had been mobilized to investigate the death of two fully grown elephants. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1252292-taskforce-mobilized-to-investigate-deaths-of-two-elephants-in-south-at-hands-of-ivory-poachers/

The chief of the San Kila Khiri national park in Songkhla in the far south of Thailand said that a force of 90 people had been mobilized to investigate the death of two fully grown elephants. They are believed to have been killed for their ivory tusks, Saksit Khunnarong told Thai PBS online. One was found apparently shot in the back with its tusks removed. It had been dead about a month and only bones remained. The other was near the Thai-Malaysian border raising the question that the poachers concerned had slipped over the border in the wild area where 25 elephants live in dense forests. Aetna Platinum+ Light on premium, great on coverage -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-03-04 - 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