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Picture: Siam Rath It has been revealed that a buoy in the Andaman sea to warn of a possible tsunami is broken. The news comes as the pacific region is still reeling from the huge undersea volcanic eruption off Tonga that caused deaths as far away as Peru and which could be heard in the US. Siam Rath reported that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation have two early warning buoys. There is one in the Indian Ocean that is working normally giving 1 hour 45 minutes of warning. But the one in the Andaman needs to be replaced. That used to give a 45 minute warning. Thai government spokesman Thanakorn Wangbunkhongchana said that premier Prayuth Chan-ocha is concerned about this. He order the authorities concerned to hurry up and make sure that Thailand has an effective early warning system in place. Thousands died in Thailand in the Boxing Day 2004 Asian Tsunami with close to a quarter of a million deaths throughout the whole of the continent and in Africa. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

Marijuana latest: Prosecutors to meet with NCB board tomorrow; Anutin has final say on drug's legality File photo Naew Na reported on the latest developments after Marijuana and Hemp were not named in Class 5 drugs in the latest code issued in December. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247116-marijuana-latest-prosecutors-to-meet-with-ncb-board-tomorrow-anutin-has-final-say-on-drugs-legality/

File photo Naew Na reported on the latest developments after Marijuana and Hemp were not named in Class 5 drugs in the latest code issued in December. Their story comes as many minor offenders in Thai jail for drugs are petitioning for early release. Health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjai Thai party rose to power in the Prayuth Chan-ocha government on the back of legalizing the growing of plants in households. But ASEAN NOW cautions that recreational drug users look set to be disappointed. Whatever happens people will only be able to grow what amounts to hemp - plants that have less than 0.2% THC, the drug that makes users high. That will get no one stoned. Prosecutors will be presenting their case for the complete removal of ganja from the narcotics list and allowing its medical use when they meet with the Narcotics Control Board main commitee tomorrow. The NCB want certain regulations to remain. The final decision will rest with Anutin who is in favor of legalization. But even then the hopes of many recreational users look sure to be dashed. Though people could grow the plant to extract its oil that can be used legally for medicine. Bhumjai Thai proposed in their election manifesto that each household could grow six plants. The latest news comes as Thai print media reported that 92,000 convicts are petitioning the authorities for sentence reduction and early release. Many of these are in for minor marijuana possession and dealing. In total the head of the prison service has revealed that a staggering 186,500 prisoners are in jail for drugs. There are believed to be a little over 300,000 prisoners in Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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’s new entry fee – boon or bust for tourism? By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk Thailand’s entry fee will be imposed on every foreigner landing on Thai soil, including expats and migrant workers. However, it will be waived for foreign workers who have to cross the border daily. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) While the Land of Smiles will be just as welcoming, from April it will also be charging every foreigner an entry fee of Bt300 if the government’s plan goes ahead. The government claims to have solid reasons for the move and expects tourism to start booming again once COVID-19 subsides. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247112-thailand’s-new-entry-fee-–-boon-or-bust-for-tourism/

Thailand’s entry fee will be imposed on every foreigner landing on Thai soil, including expats and migrant workers. However, it will be waived for foreign workers who have to cross the border daily. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk While the Land of Smiles will be just as welcoming, from April it will also be charging every foreigner an entry fee of Bt300 if the government’s plan goes ahead. The government claims to have solid reasons for the move and expects tourism to start booming again once COVID-19 subsides. The ins and outs of entry fees Officials say the fee will be imposed on every foreigner landing on Thai soil, including expats and migrant workers. However, it will be waived for foreign workers who have to cross the border daily. While Thailand has never charged an entry fee before, many other nations have. Bhutan, for instance, charges most foreigners US$65, while Japan, Malaysia, the US, and many European nations each impose the fee in different ways. Full story:: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-new-entry-fee-boon-or-bust-for-tourism/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-18 - 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

What a lot of cobras! Snakecatchers promise to return to school after catching one Picture: Naew Na Snakecatchers in Pathum Thani were called to a school by teachers who saw THREE cobras. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247107-what-a-lot-of-cobras-snakecatchers-promise-to-return-to-school-after-catching-one/

Picture: Naew Na Snakecatchers in Pathum Thani were called to a school by teachers who saw THREE cobras. The teachers thought they were different colors, reported Naew Na. Ms Ratha Taphianthong and her team managed to trap one fierce two meter serpent but it appeared that two more had slithered into a hole under the school. Picture: Naew Na It happened last night at Thanyarat school in Klong 6, Thanyaburi, north of the Thai capital Bangkok. Ratha promised to return today to try and get the remaining cobras so that everyone would be safe and sound and the snakes could all be returned to nature. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

Ex-con up to his old tricks - smashing car windows to steal in Bangkok Picture: Daily News The metropolitan police held a press conference just to announce the arrest of a petty thief. Full story : https://aseannow.com/topic/1247104-ex-con-up-to-his-old-tricks-smashing-car-windows-to-steal-in-bangkok/

Picture: Daily News The metropolitan police held a press conference just to announce the arrest of a petty thief. A report had been made to the force from a car owner in Klong Mahanak in Bangkok after a window on his vehicle was smashed and someone stole a notebook worth 25,000 baht and some 12,000 baht sunglasses. But the police were soon on the case studying CCTV and tracing the culprit who had a cunning escape route planned. Firstly he boarded a tuk-tuk to the Bobe market area then switched getaway vehicles to the number 2 bus. Picture: Daily News Arrested with a srewdriver was Wichian, aged about 56, reported Daily News. Information given at the conference attended by met deputy Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaewsaen-ek and the Plarplachai 1 police chief suggested that Wichian doies not have a phone and therefore did not engage in online gambling. He was also not a drug taker. Picture: Daily News However, he had been just let out of prison in November for committing the same kind of crime. He was named in a southern Bangkok court warrant for theft at night which carries a higher tariff than theft during the day, notes ASEAN NOW. The police warned car owners to leave valuables on show - put them in the trunk (boot) of the car or better still keep them at home, was the sage advice. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

Blow for the property industry as Government declares no more reduction in land and buildings tax File photo//wikipedia Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Thailand’s Finance Minister announced on January 17th that his ministry is ruling out the likely hood of any reduction in 2022 in the land and buildings tax. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247102-blow-for-the-property-industry-as-government-declares-no-more-reduction-in-land-and-buildings-tax/

File photo//wikipedia Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Thailand’s Finance Minister announced on January 17th that his ministry is ruling out the likely hood of any reduction in 2022 in the land and buildings tax. Apparently, relief had already been granted for two years and all further reductions would be a financial burden for the government. The minister added that a 90% reduction in land and buildings taxes granted in 2020 and 2021 had already cost the government about Bt30 billion a year in lost revenue, which is an extremely high figure to manage. The Finance Ministry has suggested that there be no further tax cuts and the legal rate be restored this year, he said. This will be a blow for the Property industry already suffering from the pandemic. The land and buildings tax are collected by the local government organisation. The actual figures collected is then treated as local revenue, which is reinvested in developing that locality. When the government announced a 90% reduction in the land and buildings tax in June 2020, the Finance Ministry had to find money to compensate local governments for lost revenue. Previously, the government had postponed the deadline for residents of land and buildings to pay this tax from April to August. The usual tax will now be paid in April, starting 2023. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

Why Thai insurers could turn down your trip cancellation insurance claim File photo The Thai government has recently announced a compulsory THB300 fee for all visitors arriving in the country which they say will go towards insurance cover. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247098-why-thai-insurers-could-turn-down-your-trip-cancellation-insurance-claim/

File photo The Thai government has recently announced a compulsory THB300 fee for all visitors arriving in the country which they say will go towards insurance cover. It is common knowledge that international vacationers leave HUGE unpaid bills at local Thai hospitals, as their insurance cover was inadequate. Now with Covid 19 playing havoc with travel plans, the insurance companies are becoming even stricter when discussing claims. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits is designed to reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable expenses in case you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason. But it is not a cure-all. How many of us bother to read the small print? While we understand that everyone's circumstances are unique, here is a look at some of the most common reasons why Thai insurers could deny your trip cancellation insurance claims. Of course, your local insurer may have different conditions, but in principle here are the most common reasons why they may not pay you back. 1. You did not see a doctor before canceling your trip because of illness. Example: Anna has packed her suitcases to fly to Hong Kong for a week-long vacation. The day before she is set to leave, she comes down with a bad case of the flu. Feeling wretched, Anna decides to stay home. She submits a trip cancellation insurance claim, but it is denied. If you or your traveling companion suffers an illness, injury or medical condition that's disabling enough to make a reasonable person cancel a trip, insurers should consider that a covered reason for trip cancellation. However, a doctor must examine you or your traveling companion and advise that person to cancel the trip — before the decision to cancel is made. If that is not possible, a doctor must examine you within 72 hours of your trip cancellation. 2. You did not provide documentation for your trip cancellation reasons and expenses. Example: Days before he is set to leave for a two-week tour of Cambodia, Javier is dismayed to hear that his tour operator has gone out of business. He submits a trip cancellation insurance claim with the original invoice from the tour operator, but his claim is denied. It is not enough to send a credit card receipt or a single invoice. You need to thoroughly document all of your trip costs, your reason for cancellation and any refunds you may have received. The list of documentation requests may include: • Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses. • Original of any refunds or expense allowances received from your tour operator, travel agency, common carrier, resort, property management company, or other entity. • Copy of resort invoice/vacation rental contract or confirmation. • Trip cancellation/interruption claims. • Any appropriate documentation that officially explains the cause of your trip cancellation or interruption • Any explanation of diagnosis along with your original itemized bills, receipts, and proof of other insurance payments. • Original unused tickets, copies of invoices, proof of payments, and other documents that substantiate the cost or occurrence of the trip cancellation or interruption. • Documentation of refunds received from the travel supplier(s) and/or common carriers. • Copy of the supplier's literature that describes penalties. • A letter from the tour operator or an itemized bill from the travel agent stating the non-refundable amounts of the trip costs. In short, send everything you can find that relates to your trip cancellation reasons and costs. This may sound like a lot, but do not get overwhelmed. 3. You purchased travel insurance when a massive storm was already on the horizon. Example: Kelly and Gus have been looking forward to their 10th anniversary trip to Cebu in the Philippines for months. A few days before they are supposed to leave, the Weather Channel reports that Tropical Storm is churning toward the island. "Uh-oh," Kelly thinks. "I’d better get travel insurance." They end up cancelling their vacation because of the storm — but their insurance claim is denied. Insurers could name several covered reasons for canceling a trip that can be related to severe weather. For instance: • Your travel carrier cannot get you to your original itinerary’s destination for at least twenty-four consecutive hours from the originally scheduled arrival time due to severe weather (or another covered reason) • Your tour operator cancels your multi-day tour that was purchased prior to your departure date due to severe weather (or another covered reason) • Your destination is uninhabitable • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) or foreign equivalent has issued a cyclone, hurricane, or typhoon warning at your destination that is in effect within 24 hours prior to your departure date • Government authorities order a mandatory evacuation at your destination that is in effect within 24 hours prior to your departure date. However, travel insurance is meant to protect travelers against sudden and unforeseen events — not threats that are already on the horizon when the insurance is purchased. If you buy travel insurance after a winter or tropical storm has been named, or after the NOAA or a similar agency has issued a warning, your plan will not provide coverage for claims related to that event. Make sure you buy trip cancellation insurance well in advance of your departure. 4. You gave up on your trip too soon. Example: The day of Keith's scheduled flight to Dubai, a surprise winter storm grounds his connecting flight. After sitting in the airport for 12 hours, he gets furious and decides to cancel the whole trip. However, his trip cancellation insurance claim is denied. We know trip delays are aggravating. But do not cancel your entire trip because of a short delay! To make a trip cancellation claim, your travel carrier must have been unable to get you to your original itinerary’s destination for at least twenty-four consecutive hours from the originally scheduled arrival time. Keep in mind that your trip cancellation benefits can also help you get to your original destination another way! You can be reimbursed (up to your policy’s Trip Cancellation Coverage maximum benefit) for the reasonable cost of alternate transportation, less available refunds; and the cost of any lost prepaid accommodations caused by your covered delayed arrival, less available refunds. You may also be able to file a trip interruption claim if you miss at least 50% of the length of your trip due to a travel carrier delay or other covered reason. 5. You did not read the terms, conditions, and exclusions for your trip cancellation insurance policy. Example: Shortly before a planned couples cruise to Singapore, Michelle has a huge fight with her fiancé. She calls off the engagement — and the cruise. But travel insurance will not cover her trip cancellation. With a wide array of covered reasons for canceling a trip, travel insurance is designed to protect you in case of many common travel mishaps. However, it is not "cancel for any reason" travel insurance, and that is why it is essential to read all the terms and conditions when you buy your plan. For instance, legal separation or divorce can be a covered reason for trip cancellation, but a breakup is not. The death of a family member can be a covered reason, but the death of a pet is not. We all know that trip cancellation benefits can seem complicated, especially during the current pandemic, so the best advice is to do your homework before booking a holiday, even if you are just booking a hotel. Please let us know if you have had any recent issues with travel insurance, so we can share your information with our many expat viewers? -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

COVID-19: Thailand reports 6,397 new coronavirus cases 18, deaths, 6,637 recoveries File photo Thailand on Tuesday (January 18) reported 6,397 new COVID-19 cases, 6,637 recoveries and 18 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247097-covid-19-thailand-reports-6397-new-coronavirus-cases-18-deaths-6637-recoveries/ //CLOSED// /Admin

COVID-19: Thailand reports 6,397 new coronavirus cases 18, deaths, 6,637 recoveries File photo Thailand on Tuesday (January 18) reported 6,397 new COVID-19 cases, 6,637 recoveries and 18 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247097-covid-19-thailand-reports-6397-new-coronavirus-cases-18-deaths-6637-recoveries/

File photo Thailand on Tuesday (January 18) reported 6,397 new COVID-19 cases, 6,637 recoveries and 18 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. ▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 6,232. Prisons: 165 ▶︎ Recoveries: 6,637 Tuesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,337,811 with 21,956 deaths. The news comes as According to Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said people who received two shots of Sinovac followed by a booster shot of AstraZeneca have seen their immunity increase 100 times, or 200 times if followed by a Pfizer booster shot. He said both booster shots can significantly increase T cells, which is effective against Covid-19 variants such as Omicron. He cited data from researchers in Europe and China, on the medRxiv website, studying the effects of 2 Sinovac shots followed by an mRNA booster shot. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-01-18 - 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

Officials to set new rules for Hua Hin beach jet ski and water sport operators By Paul Andrews A jet ski on Hua Hin beach. File photo Officials are to draft a raft of new rules that jet ski operators on Hua Hin beach will be required to abide bide when renting out jet skis to tourists. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247094-officials-to-set-new-rules-for-hua-hin-beach-jet-ski-and-water-sport-operators/

A jet ski on Hua Hin beach. File photo By Paul Andrews Officials are to draft a raft of new rules that jet ski operators on Hua Hin beach will be required to abide bide when renting out jet skis to tourists. Hua Hin Municipality held a meeting with jet ski operators and those providing water sport activities on the beach following reports of conflicts amongst business operators. Municipal officials said they had become aware that the existing rules, which were last drafted in 2019, were not be being adhered to. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/officials-to-set-new-rules-for-hua-hin-beach-jet-ski-and-water-sport-operators/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-01-18 - 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

Chonburi’s amount of Covid-19 infections now likely to decline, according to the Ministry of Public Health By Nop Meechukhun Chonburi – The amount of Covid-19 infections in Chonburi province, which includes popular tourism city Pattaya, has already reached its peak and is now declining, according to Ministry of Public Health reports today, January 17th. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247092-chonburi’s-amount-of-covid-19-infections-now-likely-to-decline-according-to-the-ministry-of-public-health/

By Nop Meechukhun Chonburi – The amount of Covid-19 infections in Chonburi province, which includes popular tourism city Pattaya, has already reached its peak and is now declining, according to Ministry of Public Health reports today, January 17th. Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, director of the Emergency Health Hazard and Disease Control Division, announced that today’s highest number of infections were in Bangkok at 722, followed by Samut Prakan at 656, Chonburi at 454, and Phuket at 389, and Nonthaburi at 386. Chonburi is now ranked the third-highest in infections after being mostly in the first place since the beginning of this year, 2022. Many infections nationwide were still found at the same ongoing clusters, such as restaurants, entertainment venues illegally open, factories, markets, social gatherings, religious ceremonies, military camps, and nursing homes, according to his statement. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/17/chonburis-amount-of-covid-19-infections-now-likely-to-decline-according-to-the-ministry-of-public-health/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-18 - 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

Democrat party denies allegations of election fraud By Erich Parpart The Democrat Party said they have not committed election fraud, instead they urged the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the allegations of irregularity during the by-election in Chumphon, and warned of a lawsuit if they found the accusation to be false. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247091-democrat-party-denies-allegations-of-election-fraud/

By Erich Parpart The Democrat Party said they have not committed election fraud, instead they urged the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the allegations of irregularity during the by-election in Chumphon, and warned of a lawsuit if they found the accusation to be false. “The party’s campaign was based on honesty and we wanted the Election Commission to compile all the facts in order to provide fairness for all sides,” the party spokesman, Ramet Rattanachaweng, told Thai Enquirer via phone on Monday. “Our legal team will discuss with our candidate in the area to prepare all the information in case the EC wants us to clarify something,” he said. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/36600/democrat-party-denies-allegations-of-election-fraud/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-01-18 - 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

42-year-old ‘Big Bike’ rider dies after crashing in Banglamung By Goong Nang(GN) PHOTO; Job Tirask / Rescue Chan Mueang Banglamung – A 42-year-old big bike rider has been pronounced dead at the scene after crashing in Banglamung at just after midnight today (January 17th). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1247090-42-year-old-‘big-bike’-rider-dies-after-crashing-in-banglamung/

PHOTO; Job Tirask / Rescue Chan Mueang By Goong Nang(GN) Banglamung – A 42-year-old big bike rider has been pronounced dead at the scene after crashing in Banglamung at just after midnight today (January 17th). The Nongprue Police were notified of the accident at about midnight on an overpass in Nongprue. Emergency responders and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a damaged Honda CB500 on the road. Nearby, rescue workers found the body of Mr. Chanwit Mueangkaew, 42, who was bleeding heavily from a suspected skull fracture. A helmet was found near the accident, it was unclear if it had come off during the accident or was not being utilized. Full story https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/17/42-year-old-big-bike-rider-dies-after-crashing-in-banglamung/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-18 - 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

Popular the globe over, iconic Thai dish honoured as a “favourite with many diners”. TAT Newsroom Bangkok, 17 January, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to report that tom yam kung (spicy shrimp soup) – one of the most famous of all Thai dishes and a perennial favourite around the globe – has been included in CNN’s list of the world’s 20 best soups. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT, said “The ongoing international recognition of tom yam kung and other signature Thai dishes, displayed in the awarding of such titles, perfectly supports the inclusion of gastronomy tourism in the destination marketing of Thailand in visitor source markets everywhere.” Gastronomy tourism is a key element of the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022’ campaign showcasing the amazing and diversified culinary scene prevalent throughout Thailand. The fifth edition of The MICHELIN Guide in Thailand was launched at the end of 2021, featuring the newly added destination of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. It lists a total of 361 eateries in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phang-Nga. “Sweet, sour, spicy, and salty, this soup’s magnificent broth is the ideal foil for sweet, tender shrimp. Aromatic ingredients include galangal, lemongrass, and lime leaves, while slivers of bright red bird’s-eye chillies add additional heat” is how CNN describes tom yam kung. In terms of its global popularity and profile, tom yam kung is up there with other famous soups of various different cuisines; such as, French onion soup, Japan’s ramen, China’s wonton soup, Italy’s minestrone, and America’s chowder soup. Tom yam kung is far from the only Thai dish to be honoured with such international recognition, something that’s hardly surprising when considering Thai cuisine itself is so immensely popular with diners in all corners of the world. Thai dishes are regularly included in the ‘world’s best’ and ‘world’s favourite’ listings, the most recent accolade also having been bestowed by CNN Travel – in April 2021 – when it once again named Thai massaman curry the No. 1 dish in the world. Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/01/tom-yam-kung-listed-among-cnns-20-best-soups-of-the-world/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-01-18 - 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