El Nino is a natural climate pattern driven by elevations in the surface water temperatures of the eastern Pacific Ocean, contributing to a global warming phase. Known to manifest every two to seven years, its hallmark characteristics include decreased precipitation in Southeast Asian and southern Australian regions. The scope of El Nino’s impact is as significant as it is varied, affecting a broad array of sectors such as agriculture, exports, tourism, and more. Representative of the Prime Minister’s Office, Chai Watcharong, disclosed on a Thursday briefing that the cabinet recognizes the inevitability of several nations, including Thailand, grappling with El Nino’s effects for up to three prime years. In anticipation of the lack of adequate preparatory arrangements to handle El Nino’s repercussions, the Thai economy is projected to incur a staggering minimum of 600 billion baht in damages, with the potential to escalate to 2 trillion baht, as expounded by…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In a response to the recent proclamation of new government policies presented to the public, Watanya stated that many of the pledges made to the electorate in the period leading up to the May 14 elections were either absent or ambiguously elucidated such as the propositions pertaining to egalitarianism and the fortified progression of a democratic society. The chief of innovation for the party in Bangkok, also wife of the Nation Group head honcho Shine Bunnag, voiced that the government’s digital wallet initiative promising 10,000 baht per person was outlined with more clarity compared to other, equally crucial, policy mandates. The government, she critically notes, did not extend equivalent attention towards other significant matters such as green policies, issues concerning human rights, restructuring of education system, labor rights, decentralization of power, and the equal distribution of wealth. This disparity was most apparent in discourse, or lack thereof, around the proposed…
The highly esteemed political figure opined that Thailand necessitates a reformed constitution one that is steeped in deep democratic values. He assured, however, that the initial two chapters of the existing constitution that illuminate the kingdom’s sovereignty and the monarchy will remain untouched. “We are committed to delivering on our promise to create a democratic constitution. The new constitution will not impinge upon the first and second chapters,” Phumtham, the one occupying the saddle of deputy leader of the coalition pillar, the Pheu Thai Party, affirmed. The proposed modifications are particularly unnerving for conservatives, sparking concerns that the initial chapters on the kingdom’s unity and monarchy might be reworded, opening floodgates to upheaval concerning the country’s stature as an integral kingdom and a constitutional monarchy. Wearing his commerce minister hat, Phumtham stated that the drafted constitution is anticipated to offer fortified safeguards to human rights and freedoms, simultaneously smoothing the…
Asian economic pivot, Thailand is gearing up for a boost in its tourist numbers, primarily from China. As revealed by Suriya, the illustrious Thai Transport Minister, comprehensive measures have been set into motion within the appropriate state bureaus, amongst them the Airports of Thailand Public Limited Company (AOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. Drawing a robust blueprint for the resurgence of the national aviation and tourism sectors – both pivotal economic driving forces – the move is designed to accommodate the imminent surge of inbound holidaymakers from China. Facing the immediate reality of increased airway traffic, the minister outlined expansionary policies, described as urgent. These involve widening the window of flight slots by a substantial 15% compared to the summer flight timetable for the upcoming winter season. Winter in Thailand is perceived as a prime season for tourism, successfully luring droves of enthusiastic explorers and adventurers. Suriya anticipates…
A comprehensive survey and evaluation report was recently announced jointly by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and various prominent partners like the Thai Digital Content Association (DCAT), the Thai Animation & Computer Graphics Association (TACGA), the Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA), Bangkok ACM SIGGRAPH, and Atwise Consulting Company. The report touched upon the current landscape of the Thai digital content industry which includes games, animation, and characters for the year 2022. This announcement was followed up with a futuristic three-year forecast. The report revealed that the collective worth of the Thai digital content industry in 2022 saw an average fall of about 4%. This decline can primarily be attributed to the downfall of the gaming industry, contributing a hefty 85% to the total worth of the industry at about 40,518 million baht. However, looking on the bright side, this industry is expected to bounce back and grow, with…
With the aim of boosting tourism, Thailand is planning on implementing a visa-free scheme, though not expecting an immediate rush of Chinese tourists, a group that normally hovers around 700,000 per month. Several factors like security concerns and lower flight frequencies, currently halved compared to pre-pandemic era in 2019, temper the expectations. Instead, tourism operators, especially in Phuket, have turned their gaze towards Kazakhstan, anticipating a wave of visa-free tourists from September 25 to February 29, 2024, a demographic seen as potentially lucrative. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) conveyed that the potential seat capacity allocated for Chinese flights in the fourth quarter stands at approximately 400,000 seats. This is a far cry from the figure for the same period in 2019, which was double the current provision. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, the association of Thai Travel Agents’ president, pointed out the tough task the government face in reaching their target of…
A Major Crackdown on Rosewood Illegal Logging in Mae Hong Son Province In a joint raid conducted by the Phaya Sue Task Force along with the Huai Nam Dang National Park team, a significant illegal logging operation of highly coveted rosewood was busted in the Srai Ngam forest area of Pai district, located in Mae Hong Son province. This successful raid, encompassing sizeable seizures, took place on September 12. Filling in for the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, Attapol Charoenchansa revealed the operations’s details. A special unit dedicated to the protection of national parks and wildlife, known as Phaya Sue, joined efforts with the Huai Nam Dang National Park to inspect and apprehend those involved in the illicit rosewood logging within the Sringam forest premises. This area, nestled within the conservation forest of Mae Na Teung, Pai district, is part of the Mae Hong…
Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, recently announced an overarching mandate for the country’s Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, to form a task force with a specific goal in mind – to enhance services in the country’s universal healthcare scheme. Government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, described how the prime minister’s primary focus was about making healthcare services more accessible to the general public. The impending reforms to the healthcare scheme are poised to include abolishing the requirement for patients to first visit their assigned hospitals to receive medical attention. Instead, the plan is to revolutionize the system through digitizing the referral system, which will significantly reduce paperwork for patients wishing to be transferred to another treatment center. A referral document will still be necessary, however. Wacharonke continued to stress how crucial it is to cut down on hospital waiting times while rolling out a home-delivery service for medication to eradicate the need to…
CP AXTRA unveils the inaugural concept of “Hybrid Wholesale” in Thailand, amalgamating the outstanding wholesaling prowess of Makro with Lotus’s excellence in mall management. This innovative model serves to furnish lifestyle solutions and unmatched value for businesses and everyday customers. The brainchild of Mr. Tanin Buranamanit, the CEO of CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, “Hybrid Wholesale” signifies a momentous advance in Thailand’s wholesale landscape. Hybrid Wholesale is aptly named – it’s a harmonious blend of Makro’s industry-leading wholesale capabilities and the shopping centre expertise of Lotus’s. The resulting synergy seeks to satisfy an eclectic mix of customer requirements, offering a sundry portfolio of locally sourced items along with products cherry-picked from around the globe, all at attractive wholesale prices. Beyond business requirements, this new-generation retail format embraces the modern lifestyles of flourishing entrepreneurs. “For over 34 years, we’ve been leveraging Makro’s knack for procuring top-of-the-line products from every nook and…
Minor International (MINT), a giant player in the hospitality industry, remains optimistic about the vibrant prospects of the travel sector in Europe and Thailand. The company points to solid operational statistics and strong future reservations for the remainder of the year as proof of their confidence. The travel season that kicked off in the second quarter of 2023 in Europe continues to intensify with forward bookings for September and October demonstrating noticeable strength. A spike in demand has been recorded across MINT’s European hotels, an encouraging sign fuelled not only by hearty leisure tourism but also a revival in corporate business travel. The first half of September has seen these establishments achieving a remarkable average occupancy rate that surpasses 70%. This rise in occupancy coincides with consistent growth in the Average Daily Rate (ADR), a clear indicator of a vigorous recovery in regional tourism. Reservations for September sit a handsome…