The proposition of a 10,000-baht digital wallet handout by the Thai administration has provoked a lively discussion. Alarms have been raised regarding its plausible repercussions on the country’s public debt. It was put forth by Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, that this much-needed financial shot in the arm was crucial, given the average 2% annual economic growth over the last ten years, which is deemed not enough to sustain the country’s graying populace in the near future. The nation’s public debt-to-GDP correlation is also prone to swell due to the tame GDP growth. Should the GDP growth hang under a 5% threshold, it could lead to a circumstance where, as soon as 2027, public debt outstrips 70% of GDP, overreaching the sustainable limit anchoring the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act. While this proposal might resonate as urgent, the opposition parties and economic gurus beg to differ, underscoring that although…
Posts published in “Thailand”
With a heavy heart, we narrate the harrowing tale of a terribly unfortunate sequence of events that unfolded in the bustling Khlong Toei district. Two menacing figures appeared out of nowhere, their intentions as dark as night itself, swiftly transforming a peaceful evening into a scene straight from a heart-wrenching drama. The primary casualty of this incident was a youthful cherub just on the cusp of adulthood, a 19-year-old student of notable caliber from Uthen Thawai Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology. Known fondly by his peers as Nong Yod, this young luminary’s life was tragically cut short when a volley of bullets interrupted his journey in the most violent manner. The sinister shooting at Khlong Toei that night forever tainted the hearts of the local residents with deep sorrow. Testimony from his co-alumni attests that Nong Yod, whose original name was Thanasorn, found himself cornered unexpectedly by two vile miscreants,…
In an unfortunate series of events, a Turkish gentleman, Ruhan Topal, fell victim to a conniving trickster found hailing from the world of online dating. From the confines of the Mueang Pattaya Police Station, he recounted a tale of deceit, cunning, and significant financial loss. The heart of the incident took place at a hotel in Pattaya just last night on the 19th of November. The night had begun with a seemingly innocent connection. A Thai woman, allegedly from Phuket province, had sparked a conversation with Ruhan through a popular dating application. Over a period of three engaging days, Ruhan found himself drawn into her web and decided to invite her to join him in Pattaya. They spent an eventful evening together, sipping on intoxicants at local nightclubs and soaking up the vibrant Pattaya nightlife. However, it’s always darkest just before dawn. After their lively night out, Ruhan retired to…
The ongoing pursuit for the elusive fugitive, Chaowalit Thongduang, across the prominent Banthat Mountain Range, spanning the regions of Phatthalung, Trang, and Satun, has sent waves of unrest through the local inhabitants and wildlife. His sudden escape from a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat province since October 22 has propelled the authorities, led by Police Regions 8 and 9 in partnership with Thai Border Police Unit 54, into a relentless manhunt primarily centered around the serene hillside village of Ban Nai Tra, nestled in Trang’s Palian district. Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, has successfully evaded capture so far, leaving trails of distress in his wake. Despite the overwhelming sense of duty, the effervescent presence of armored helicopters coupled with various security personnel has unintentionally disrupted local life, causing an alarming shift in the traditional livelihood of locals, mainly around the homely village of Tamoht. Villagers have been compelled to…
Positioned meticulously among the bustling environment of Suvarnabhumi airport, diligent immigration officers persistently invigilate. The year-round hum of activity paints an exciting backdrop to the transitions Thailand might be on the brink of introducing. The Thai government is deep in dialogue, contemplating waiving visa prerequisites for tourists hailing from an array of European countries. This enticing proposition is calculated to encourage holidaymakers to extend their stay and splurge more enthusiastically. A significant affirmation from Prommin Lertsuridej, one of the prime minister’s crucial advisors, sheds light on the prompt echoing down from the Thai government. The discourse suggests a possibility of a strenuous 90-day stay for specific European tourists. The Thai allure will not stop there. Picture a magnificent array of roughly 3,000 diverse events, spanning music concerts, exhilarating marathons, and cultural festivities, meticulously organised throughout the year to captivate all kinds of tourists. Srettha Thavisin, after stepping into the role…
Yesterday morning, the serene ambiance of Sangkhla Buri district was abruptly interrupted by an earth tremor which registered a magnitude of 4 on the Richter scale. The quake, whose epicenter was located near the quiet hamlet of tambon Nong Lu, sent shivers down the spine of Kanchanaburi, with ripples of seismic activity being felt across the western province. This sudden shake and tremble prompted swift action from local authorities, who sprung into action to assess the safety of public buildings and infrastructure. According to the esteemed head of the Thai Meteorological Department, Kanrawee Sitthicheewapak, the tremor originated from approximately six kilometers beneath the earth’s surface. It was first detected in the wee hours of the morning, precisely at 03:07 am. The Earthquake Observation Division, a team of erudite seismologists versed in tectonic activities, attributed the quake to movements along the notable Three Pagodas Fault. Interestingly, with the advent of technology…
In the heart of Seoul, the thunder of diplomatic conversation resonates as representatives from South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy navigate the complexities of a possible Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Thailand. Spearheading Thailand’s voice in these potentially transformative negotiations is esteemed trade representative Nalinee Taveesin, who avers that the objective is to position Thailand as a pivotal production hub for South Korea’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) industry. A recent meeting between Ms Nalinee and Trade Minister Ahn Deok Guen in the bustling South Korean capital gestated the possibility of this major bilateral partnership. The path to their meeting was paved when Mr Ahn met with Thailand’s Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in the dynamic city of San Francisco. With the backdrop of the summit, the duo deliberated on an EPA, culminating in the arrangement of a subsequent meeting…
There’s an enchanting aroma wafting from the Peruvian Andes that’s captivating Thai taste buds. Thanks to the exceptional initiative of the Peruvian embassy and the Peruvian Economic and Trade Office for ASEAN, the vibrant food culture and the exclusive beans of Peru, headlined the recently held event, “From Andean Beans to Thai Brews”. The thoughtfully curated occasion enlightened attendees on the richness of Peruvian coffee offerings on November 14th. Not just another meeting, this coffee tasting initiative was one among the three dedicated events the Embassy of Peru in Thailand hosted with the objective of fostering cross-cultural appreciation. The inaugural event began on November 11th featuring “Peruvian Food and Pisco”, where a welcome invitation was extended to the public. Attendees had an opportunity to witness a live cooking demonstration showcasing fresh Seabass ceviche and succulent fish and shrimp tiradito, prepared by renowned Peruvian chef. Plus, there was a lesson or…
China is proficiently utilizing a German submarine engine, similar to the one Thailand’s navy is seeking. This came to light during a commemorative event for the 117th anniversary of the Royal Thai Navy. Navy chief Adm Adung Phan-iam revealed this compelling secret, that the nation had green-lit the details of the motor that gives life to the Yuan-class S26T submarine. This engineer’s dream is currently under construction by the apex of Chinese naval engineering: China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC), exclusively for the Thai navy. The throbbing heart of this underwater leviathan, known as the CHD620 engine, originates from German design. But bear in mind, it’s not merely a copy — it’s a licensed version. It parallels the MTU396 engine which the Thai navy had initially specified for its much-anticipated submarine. What makes this story intriguing is the fact that China, under Germany’s MTU license, is fabricating the engine…
A bustling hub of business, Astana, Kazakhstan witnessed a flux of high-profile dignitaries and companies during the 6th Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable recently. The highlight was Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov’s stirring keynote speech, beckoning foreign investments from ASEAN to bolster Kazakhstan’s journey towards becoming a prominent investment hub in Central Asia. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roman Vassilenko, emphasized the potential for symbiotic economic growth between the Southeast Asian region and Kazakhstan during the conference. In light of Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov’s recent economic forging visits to Thailand and Vietnam, he highlighted the need for stronger business investments from ASEAN countries. Noting an upswing in the volume of Kazakh tourists visiting Thailand, Vassilenko welcomed Thais to savor the charms of Kazakhstan. He viewed these positive people-to-people relations as stepping stones to prospective economic progression. Kazakhstan is motivated to amp up foreign investments to drive growth, said Vassilenko. The…