In the realm of consumer alert news, Panda Lab, a notable medical technology firm, has blown the whistle on a burgeoning travel con, reporting a figure of over 50 million baht swindled successful from unsuspecting travellers. These revelations, unveiled on Panda Lab’s Facebook page, target a high-profile tourism webpage belatedly finding fame not for its services, but for its alleged fraudulent practices. The Consumer Organisation Council has laid down multiple avenues for victims to voice out their concerns and complaints. As per the report uploaded by Panda Lab, several travellers, initially excited about their planned trips, suffered the disappointment of their tours being deferred. But the real nightmare began when they attempted to cancel their bookings. Not only were their requests for cancellations overlooked, more importantly, they were denied the accompanying reimbursement, culminating in a massive loss exceeding 50 million baht. The post, an ominous warning to potential travel enthusiasts,…
Posts published by “Editorial Team”
Imagine this – you’re at the ripe old age of 70, and you’re not kicking back and enjoying retirement, oh no. You’re applying for work at Charoen Thai Sukiyaki Soi 4, a renowned Sukiyaki restaurant nestled in the bustling heart of your city. Why, you might ask? Because you have an ageing mother to care for, and because life doesn’t always come gift-wrapped with a pension plan. This heartwarming narrative is the journey of one exceptional elderly gentleman who kept defying the status quo and outpaced life’s unending challenges. The iteration of this story began during the menacing waves of the Covid-19 pandemic. The elderly gentleman, with steadfast determination and resilience, approached the restaurant in search of work. Unfortunately, the plague had crippled businesses across the globe, and there were no positions open at the time. But, despite the odds, the old man left an imprint of hope. A flame…
Thailand, a country known for its tropical climate, is about to get a mellow tune-up in the weather symphony. An increase of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius is in the forecast across the country, signifying a retreat from the recent chilly spells, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). However, fear not; the essence of cool mornings still persists, particularly in the north and northeast region, complemented by occasional drizzles in some areas in the southern region. The TMD has projected this weather shift to propel over the coming 24 hours, pointing to the subtle weakening of the high-pressure system otherwise known as the cold air mass encasing the country. The northern terrains will sustain their tranquil cool with an impression of the morning fog, a sight to stir a sense of mystery. Some places might even see a denser fog veil. Overall, the temperatures are primed to ascend about…
Amid the relentless Israeli-Gaza war, a ray of hope seeped through the seemingly impenetrable clouds of conflict as Israel and Hamas struck an unanticipated agreement: a swap deal involving hostages and prisoners. An exchange of this magnitude signals a promising development for the Thai workers who tragically fell into the chains of hostage during the skirmish. Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, reflected a glimmer of positivity, foreseeing the ceasefire arrangement between the two opponents indeed accelerating the Thai hostages’ release. The prime minister, 61 years of age, radiated confidence and declared, “We are confident there will be good news.” Thavisin revealed the Thai government’s ongoing discussions with Qatar to aid the Thais trapped in Israel’s evacuation. Nonetheless, he issued a warning to Thai workers still ensnared in the geographical confines of volatile Israel against returning to conflict-prone zones while the ceasefire existed in the fragile period of the battle.…
In a recent press conference, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed to the nation and broader global community that the visa exemption plan set in place for Chinese tourists is here to stay, undeterred by the multiple flight slot cancellations from several Chinese airlines. The surprising cancellations were fueled by a diminished demand in passenger flights to Thailand. It appeared that airlines anticipated a higher demand when they acquired slots for flights to Thailand and subsequently procured ground handling services for their aircraft. However, faced with less than satisfactory flight subscription rates, these airlines had to relinquish their rights to land and take-off. The unforeseen slump in demand is generally traced back to China’s less than perky economic bounce back post-pandemic and the Chinese government’s ongoing campaign to endorse local travel over international journeys. Prime Minister Srettha, 61, remains steadfast in his conviction, highlighting the importance of the visa exemption arrangement…
Thailand’s government is being implored to step up its game in human resources development, with a forward-looking vision towards Society 5.0. A quick insight into what comprises Society 5.0; think of this as an era where innovative technology and artificial intelligence (AI) will be the powerhouses galvanizing the global economy. This call for action was articulated by none other than Suphachai Chearavanont, the Chairman of Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT). This statement was made at the GCNT Forum 2023, centered around “Partnership for Human Capital 5.0 towards Sustainable Intelligence (SI)-Based Society”. The chairman inferred that a primary ingredient for propelling Thailand into the orbit of the United Nations Framework for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would be enhancing human resources. With AI and cutting-edge technology claiming the driver’s seat in the economic and social development, bolstered human resources will be paramount for steering Society 5.0 successfully. Drawing attention to the global…
In a monumental moment for Thailand’s Muslim population, Arun Boonchom, the incumbent president of the eminent Islamic Affairs Committee of Bangkok, has won an esteemed election, ascending to the distinguished title of the 19th Sheikhul Islam (Chularajmontri). He’s poised to spiritually guide the Muslim community of the region, succeeding the late Aziz Phitakkumpon. Commencing their journey at the prestigious National Administration Centre for Islamic Affairs in the Nong Chok district, Wednesday morning ushered in a new era. The event hall echoed with anticipation as Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset took on the role of election chairman, ensuring the process remained smooth and fair. A highlight of this noteworthy event was the robust competition faced by Boonchom. The title of Sheikhul Islam, also known as Chularajmontri, isn’t one granted lightly. Two other esteemed individuals contested him for the extraordinary honor. Prasarn Sricharoen, deputy chairman of a panel of specialists at the…
Gathering under the esteemed flag of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum (HKLF), several aspiring scientists congregated at the Hong Kong Science Park to showcase their scholarly innovations through a multitude of inspiring poster presentations. 30 exceptional scientists made the cut, pouring their intellect into this remarkable event on the 14th of November. The illustrious HKLF has taken commendable strides in driving connectivity among academicians through this ‘Young Scientist’ initiative. The idea was to offer a vibrant platform, not just for scientists to interact, but also to learn from each other’s unique research perspectives, according to the insightful Hong Kong Laureate Forum Council Secretary-General, Ms Do Pang Wai Yee. Fun fact: the exalted former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, effortlessly impressed by the inspiring interactions at the Heidelburg Laureate Forum and Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings, kick-started the Young Scientist program. The initiative’s primary intention was to foster engaging dialogue…
In a sea of commemorative posters affixed to a mural in Tel Aviv, Israel, reading ‘kidnapped’, a collective call for empathy and urgent action resonates for the hostages held captive in Gaza by the Hamas group. This demonstration took place on November 22, 2023, and was a rallying cry for the instantaneous liberation of the individuals involved. Interestingly, captive Thai workers are on the brink of freedom as Israel and Hamas agree to a temporary cessation of aggression, with plans to exchange hostages for prisoners. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is confident this ceasefire may be a vital step to ensuring the hostages’ safety and facilitating their departure from conflict-ridden areas after liberation. However, the future is shrouded in uncertainty with doubts about the war’s potential recurrence post-ceasefire. Despite this, Thailand is actively negotiating their citizens’ safe passage through Qatar, with other nations’ collaborative efforts to assist in repatriation. Mr…
Warm embraces and hospitable smiles lit up Suvarnabhumi airport on September 25, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ushered the first cohort of visa-exempt Chinese travellers into our rejuvenating country. (Credit: GOVERNMENT HOUSE) Even though the cancellation of flight quotas by an array of Chinese airlines owing to a lukewarm customer response raised a ripple of doubt, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reaffirmed that this by no means calls into question the government’s visa exemption policy specifically in place for Chinese nationals, who engulfed in conversations on Wednesday. The airlines in question earlier expressed interest in capitalizing on Thailand’s hospitable skies and secured ground management facilities for their majestic airborne metal birds, only to later renounce their landing and take-off privileges due to a shortfall in filling up these flights. The Prime Minister causally posited that the current economic recovery momentum within China, slower than originally envisaged, coupled with the national government’s…