Noted Thai business and community leader, Sanan Angubolkul, who chairs both the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade anticipates a surge in domestic tourism during the forthcoming extended holiday period. Angubolkul predicts ‘5-7 billion baht’ to change hands during this period, breathing a new lease of life into hotels, dining establishments, and shopping centers, amongst other businesses. The holiday period kick-off coincides with His Majesty the King’s birthday on Friday (July 28) and stretches until Wednesday (August 2), marking the beginning of Buddhist Lent. This elongated festive period offers the perfect opportunity for Thai citizens to explore their country further, contributing to the local economy as they do. In a move designed to facilitate and encourage travel, the caretaker government delineated Monday (July 31) as an additional public holiday – a decision that should ease the journeys for those venturing to hometowns scattered throughout the nation. From…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Following a pivotal board meeting on Wednesday, it was determined that the Airports of Thailand (AOT) will orchestrate a major reshuffle, repositioning 68 high-ranking officers in an effort to enhance overall operational efficiency. These sweeping changes are set to commence on August and October 1 of this year, signaling a new era for one of Thailand’s premier providers of aviation services. Included among these dramatic shifts is a significant change in leadership for Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, one of the busiest hubs in the sector. Karun Thanakuljeerapat, the current director of the airport, is to move into an advisory role at the core AOT headquarters. Stepping up to fill the grand shoes left vacant by this move is Wijit Kaesaithiam, who will bid farewell to his current position as head of Chiang Mai International Airport. This substantial reassignment comes in the wake of the in-depth investigation launched by…
Throughout the past year, a notable 2,748 cases were taken up for formal investigation by the national enforcement agency. The individuals deemed responsible for the remaining cases were justly passed onto the relevant law enforcement bodies. This admission comes directly from the mouthpiece of the agency, General Secretary Niwatchai Kasemmongkol. Remarkably, the majority of corruption allegations — a whopping 34.59%, or 1,548 of all investigated instances — were made against local administration organizations. Only trailed by the Interior Ministry and the Royal Thai Police, fielding 507 and 409 cases, respectively. These tallies underscore the gravity of systemic corruption in our country’s institutions. The recurring theme among these allegations? The culprit appears to be the stark violation of section 157 of our nation’s Criminal Code. This section addresses nonfeasance or dereliction of duty by state officials — an issue that seems troublingly rampant. So, what’s the cost of such rampant corruption?…
Announcing the recent conclusion of the 2023 International Mediation Competition, the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) praised the stellar performance of the team representing the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA) named THAC RPCA. This critical competition was intensely contested from the 19th to the 21st of July, from the heart of Bangkok’s Watthana district in the prestigious Bhiraj Tower. The THAC RPCA team, which secured the commendable position of the runner-up, consisted of the very best of cadets – Nattakit Tothap, Prawanwit Champeethong, Thiraphat Bucharum, and Kornthon Chingduang. This team benefited greatly from the prolific guidance of mentors such as Pol Lt Col Siriyos Saensuk and Captain Thaksana Mektrairat. Captain Thanchanok Yiwijittakul managed the team efficiently, and the valuable advice of Supamas Kaewborisut saw them through the competition. This esteemed competition saw participation from both local and international teams of prodigious students, with universities from all across Thailand and the globe…
In an exciting development for Thailand’s cultural development, Atikhun Kongmee, who presides over the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), recently announced the acceptance of the provinces of Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri into the Unesco City of Culture Network (UCCN). Boasting of rich cultural and creative initiatives, Chiang Rai is joining as a city of design while Suphan Buri takes its place as a city of music, as stated by Atikhun. Since its introduction in 2004, the UCCN has thrived as a Unesco flagship initiative to foster cooperation among cities that have strategically emphasized culture and creativity as catalysts for sustainable urban progress. The network proudly seats nearly 300 cities from around 90 different countries, reflecting a diverse cultural profile that began to take form in its earlier years. The UCCN encapsulates seven creative dimensions which include: Crafts and Folk Arts Design Film Gastronomy Literature Media Arts Music…
In an unprecedented turn of events, Pol Maj-General Montree Theskhan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), announced to the media during a press briefing at the CSD headquarters, the successful apprehension of three individuals associated with a drug syndicate. These individuals, discovered during a province-wide investigation, had intended to distribute drugs cleverly hidden within numerous small plastic bags. Upon closer inspection, authorities found these bags tucked away deep inside specially-crafted wooden crates. Tracing back to this bold arrest which took place inside a warehouse, Nakhon Pathom province emerged as their area of operations. It was within these confines that the illicit substances were discovered, neatly sealed within covert compartments ingeniously designed and built into wooden pieces. They were then put together to resemble crates known for storing jade masterpieces and exquisite stone sculptures of the Buddha and other respected imagery. Pol Maj-General Montree recalled that it was the vital…
In a recent seminar aired by the Thai-language news outlet Thansettakij, which is a part of the reputable Nation Group, Thaiwut Khankaew, heralded as the director of the City Planning and Urban Development Department, brought to light an exciting new vision for the city of Bangkok. The seminar held at the luxurious Renaissance Bangkok Hotel was centralized around property development plans, shaping the future of the city. The inauguration of the new city planning act of 2019 – replacing its predecessor from 1975 – served as the incumbent responsibility for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to renew and meticulously devise the layout of the city Afresh. Reflective of the soaring voices and needs of city dwellers, it had become a necessity for BMA to upgrade and alter the status of multiple urban zones, because of the consistent city sprawl and the concurrent rise of new residential areas. The unique feature…
From the culturally vibrant heart of Thailand’s National Resource and Environment Ministry comes the heartening announcement of a ceremonious welcome for Sak Surin, a noble elephant of 30 winters, upon the termination of his solitude. As the quarantine on this majestic creature concludes after full circle of moon, the country embraces him with a festive event, a traditional Bai Sri Su Khwan ceremony. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, the vigorous steward of the Natural Resources and Environment, conveyed this uplifting news, implicitly revealing that the event is to unfurl at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC), nestled in Lampang. The sanctuary of TECC has been the haven for Sak Surin, providing him with meticulous medical care, ever since his journey back from his stint in Sri Lanka on July 2nd. His well-being is being rigorously overseen by specialists, with a comprehensive blood test forthcoming to establish his vitality, thereby concluding this chapter…
In a remarkable show of unity, five star-studded agencies from Thailand’s state machinery are pulling together to lock horns with shady financial dealings and money laundering that span across international borders. The deputy government spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul, divulged this groundbreaking initiative of these institutions with a steely resolve to purge the system of corruption. This remarkable assembly of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), the Revenue Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) denotes an important stand against organized crime. Banners of these renowned institutions congregating set a remarkable precedent underlining the government’s determined effort in compliance with the policy outlined by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to incapacitate scams and thwart rigged routers originating from border territories. With deep concern, the coalition of these agencies acknowledged the illicit use of digital asset platforms for peer-to-peer deals that often end up…
With a clear eye on an uncertain inflation outlook, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) is finalizing its interest rate increase plan with a last 25-point hike set for August 2. These observations arise from recent surveys. June’s annual headline inflation saw a downturn to 0.23%, a slump below BoT’s target range of 1% -3%, pointing to a price revival later in the year. This tells us that BoT isn’t ready to wind up its cycle of fiscal tightening. Dr. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the BoT’s governor, affirmed last week that the current inflation outlook is on track with forecasts. Hence, future monetary policy is likely to ride on projections rather than relying entirely on present data. This slight recalibration has led economists, who participated in a poll between July 17-26 and previously predicted a cessation of the 150 basis points of policy tightening in May, to now foresee another rate hike. In…