In a strategic move aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening ties, Thailand and Laos have begun deliberations on creating interconnected tourism routes and hastening the construction of a second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Pak Chom district, Loei. The discussions were held in the recently concluded 20th Thai-Lao border security meeting at the upscale S Vangvieng Boutique Hotel, featuring Tawee Sermpakdeekul, Loei’s Governor, and Khamphan Sithidampha, Governor of Vientiane province in Laos. Notably, the high-profile meeting brought together not just the Governor of Loei but also other prominent figures such as the deputy governor, Narong Jeenam, 28th military circle chief Major General Prich Sukantasri, and several other officials. The key focus areas of the meeting were facilitating tourism promotion, fostering cultural exchanges, and fortifying economic, social, and security collaborations with Laos. In line with this move, the Thai government has recently decided to grant visa-free entry to Chinese visitors. This has…
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In a telling revelation, recently compiled data by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) has pointed towards an unsettling perception held by a significant segment of Thai residents – a suspicion of potential collusion between state officials, including the police department, and influential figures reputed for mafia-like activities. This comprehensive survey was orchestrated and implemented between September 12 to 14, encompassing over 1,310 participants exceededing 18 years of age. Education, occupation, and income levels varied significantly in this participant pool, ensuring a myriad of perspectives representative of the diverse Thai population. The survey essentially aimed to map out the prevailing perception of any unholy nexus that may exist between state officials and entities dabbling in the obscure. When probed about the existence of mafia-like influential individuals within their province boundaries, nearly half of the participants, marking a precise 49.54%, denied any such presence. However, a considerable 26.34% pointed fingers…
In a bid aligned with the global wellness trend, Phuket’s key sectors – tourism and property development, have urged the Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, to promptly consider their proposition for an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This strategy is envisaged to give a facelift to the tourism niche and stimulate associated investments. This was brought to the fore during Mr Thavisin’s recent visit to the provinces of Phuket and Phang Nga. The Prime Minister interacted with the locals and sought input from private sector representatives on viable tourism promotion initiatives. Kan Prachumphan, the chief executive officer of Beach Group and Andaman City Development Co, was among the business leaders who, in response, revealed the AWC suggestion. The AWC concept, which took shape during the tenure of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, proposes the establishment of a corridor that would envelope the six Andaman provinces. The province list includes Phuket, Krabi,…
The promising dawn of progression is casting its radiant glow over the Chaiya region, as the influencers and decision-makers of Surat Thani province have vowed to inject a robust 60 million baht directly into the creation of a state-of-the-art pier. The captivating news cut through the air in the voice of Governor Witchawut Jinto of Surat Thani, who revealed with a sense of great importance that the construction venture would activate without further delay. The envisioned pearl of infrastructure is set to take root adjacent to a lush public park within the heart of Tambon Phum Riang’s societal bloom. The aesthetically pleasing architectural sketches of the Chaiya Pier have won the approval of the Marine Department. The mission to construct and operate this marvel, designed to captivate the senses, has been graciously bestowed upon the provincial administrative organization. Witchawut revealed his unwavering belief in the potential of the new development…
Cholnan Srikaew, acting in his capacity as Thailand’s Public Health Minister, has cautiously unveiled the government’s intention to trial a groundbreaking approach to the nationally funded universal healthcare (UC) programme. This proposal, devised through comprehensive strategy planning and discussions with sector experts, enables UC members to exercise unparalleled flexibility in their choice of healthcare provider. More specifically, UC members will soon have the option to utilise their healthcare coverage at any eligible hospital across the nation. Prior to the nationwide roll-out of this innovative approach, the scheme will first be tested within a select few health zones, areas already well equipped to facilitate this shift in operational structure and resources. A total of 13 formal health zones exist in Thailand, a figure that includes the bustling capital city, Bangkok. These zones are essentially grouped provinces, thus ensuring a broad, comprehensive demographic reach. The final call on which zones will pilot…
Intriguing developments are underway at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, as the formation of a dedicated panel to evaluate the finer details of a newly proposed cannabis bill has been announced. The unshakeable stance from the ministry remains that cannabis should solely be utilized for medicinal reasons and health benefits. The authority re-emphasized that the use of cannabis for recreational enjoyment should remain off-limits. Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, affirmed the necessity of a defined law to govern the production, distribution, and usage of cannabis. The intended law’s objective would be to ensure the plant’s usage strictly remains within the health and medicinal domain, keeping its recreational usage strictly out of the equation. However, this firm standpoint from the ministry does not put a damper on the actions of the Bhumjaithai Party. As an independent political entity, the Party had already brought a cannabis and hemp bill before parliament, securing…
Brace yourselves, as a series of temperature fluctuations ranging from 26 to 35 degrees Celsius have been forecasted. A stern warning was issued against the anticipated extreme weather conditions, which could potentially trigger flash floods in the precincts of foothills and overflow in numerous waterways in low-lying regions. A formidable monsoon trough is looming over the northern, upper central, and northeastern bits of Thailand. Concurrently, a low-pressure zone has encapsulated Myanmar, coupled with a moderate monsoon originating from the southwest, stretching across the expanse of both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. These meteorological conditions are responsible for the changing weather patterns in the above-mentioned areas. Angular winds are sweeping across the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, which is making the waves oscillate between one and two meters. The tumultuous weather during thunderstorms is even making these waves tower over two meters in height.…
Recognizing the significant value of “soft power” in promoting a nation globally, the previous government of Thailand had launched an innovative strategy called the “5Fs.” This initiative aimed at heightening Thailand’s international reputation, not just by bolstering tourism, but also by providing visitors with a more profound and rewarding experience. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) looks forward to utilizing this approach as a means to foster a more sustainable tourism model in the country. The “5Fs” strategy stays highly focused on digital promotions, unfolding a myriad array of promotional events that aim at initializing an exciting and fulfilling interaction with Thailand for global tourists. Such a comprehensive approach is projected to generate a remarkable revenue of 2.38 trillion baht from tourism sector alone within this calendar year, as per the targets set by TAT. In order to materialize the “soft power” tourism promotional programs, TAT has brought in various…
Recently, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) released an insightful report, shedding light on Thailand’s digital content economy. Comprising sectors like gaming, animation, and character development, this output offers a three-year trend projection. With valuable inputs from the Digital Content Association of Thailand (DCAT), the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association (TACGA), Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA), Bangkok ACM SIGGRAPH, and Atwise Consulting Co., Ltd., the report presents a thought-provoking industry panorama. In a recent roundtable discussion, representatives from diverse business associations within the digital content territory implored the government to speed up skills development among Thai digital content creators. They pointed out that broadening such an initiative could boost Thailand’s soft power, opening the floodgates of economic growth. These business gurus similarly discussed Thailand’s ambitious plans to emerge as a commanding force in the digital content industry, emphasizing the pivotal roles played by current lifestyles and digital technologies…
At the prestigious Mahidol University, an innovative team of researchers have developed an intriguing new form of plant-based protein for public consumption. Derived from the esteemed Hom Mali rice of Thailand, the protein has been artfully crafted into an easily consumable foam formulation, specifically tailored for the nutrition of the elderly populace. Taking the lead on this project is Assistant Director of the Institute of Nutrition, Warangkana Srichamnong, who elaborated on the product’s simplicity of use – “Just squeeze a bit of the foam onto a spoon and enjoy.” This groundbreaking initiative has been mutually financed by the Agricultural Research Development Agency and Ubonthaworn Agricultural Produce Limited Partnership. The protein foam leverages broken rice, a byproduct of the milling process, as its key ingredient. In a recent study involving 30 elderly individuals living in a care facility, the protein foam product garnered a spectacular 87% approval rating. Warangkana foresees more…