Posts published in “Thailand”

In a forthcoming cabinet meeting, the government is set to declare a host of strategies aimed at alleviating cost of living pressures and giving a lift to the economy. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat unveiled that these procedures would incorporate alterations to diesel and electricity prices. One of the proposals being examined is a cutback in diesel excise tax, a move that could decrease retail costs at fuel stations, thereby providing a timely boost to the economy. In addition, discussions are ongoing about a likely suspension of government debt remittances to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Such a move could ease the pressure on EGAT, which has been heavily subsidising household electricity tariffs since September 2021. The subsidy is a significant financial outgoing, known to cost roughly around 135 billion baht. The Pheu Thai Party has put forth its own plan to bolster the economy via a distribution…

Bangkok is accelerating its efforts to become a global hub, spearhead by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The administration hopes to rally government support to further this vision. The Bangkok Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, recently announced the plan to bring BMA’s policy in stricter alignment with government measures, all in a bid to stimulate the city’s economy and foster job creation. In a news conference, Chadchart emphasized the significance of cities as prime territories for employment. He remarked, “People reside in urban areas largely because of employment opportunities. Bringing international corporations to Bangkok is of paramount importance to create jobs. The infiltration of top-tier companies will naturally spawn more employment opportunities. This development will have a ripple effect positively impacting property owners, taxi service providers, restaurant owners, and even farmers.” The 57-year-old city leader elaborated on BMA’s ongoing engagements with foreign investors, global business representatives, and expats to better cater to…

The initiative at hand is a cornerstone in the field of medical progression, focusing primarily on the development and production of innovative health improvement solutions and high-quality pharmaceutical servitude derived from medicinal plants. Joining forces for this noble venture are esteemed entities such as the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, alongside the Research Institute for Human High Performance and Health Promotion, and the Academic Clinical Research Office. These units under the prestigious Khon Kaen University, Thailand, are renowned for their expedient work in the pharmaceutical development chain leveraging medicinal flora. Their ultimate goal translates to procuring global trust and endorsement, thus assuring their commitment to uphold the highest standards of quality, efficacy, and safety. Incidentally, this collaboration also acts as a linchpin in reinforcing the Nan Sandbox project. This parallel initiative is geared towards elevating the value of medicinal plants both economically and ecologically. It not only…

The small town of Umphang, nestled near Thailand’s western border, opened its arms and heartily greeted the incoming slew of eager tourists. Leading the warm welcome was none other than the district chief of Umphang, Thanpawat Puriwattanametha, along with officials hailing from the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. This dedicated team of officials and wildlife experts were on standby to provide valuable guidance and ensure the well-being of adventurous tourists eagerly rafting down the majestic Mae Klong River. At the heart of this enriching natural extravaganza is the breathtaking Thi Lo Su, the undisputed champion of waterfalls in Thailand and arguably, the entire Southeast Asia. This monumental limestone waterfall is a spectacle to behold, cascading from a staggering height of 250 metres and stretching over an expansive width of nearly 450 metres. The Mae Klong River, the lifeline of this spectacle, is sourced from the fertile waters of Huai Klotho, channelling its…

In light of notable deceleration in China’s economic growth, predominantly due to severe issues in its real estate sector, shedding light on fears of an economic stagnation, a word of caution comes from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The council’s concerns specifically pertain to Thailand, given the close economic ties between the two Asian nations. Danucha Pichayanan, the NESDC secretary-general, has remarked on China’s situation with a discerning sentiment, saying it’s crucial to remain attentive, even though the extent of the influence on Thailand’s economy is yet to be quantifiably observed. He issued these remarks at the release event of Thailand’s economic outlook for the following quarter, emphasizing the interconnected nature of global economies. Pichayanan explained, “While the specifics are not completely visible at this juncture, it is important to consider the potential repercussions if China’s economic situation deteriorates. Any setback for the global and Thai economies…

Highway 317, a pivotal link between the eastern province of Chanthaburi and Sa Kaew on the Cambodian frontier, has suffered from severe flooding, making navigation particularly challenging for smaller vehicles. This flooding is especially evident traversing through the Makham district region of the highway. Authorities from the local area are urging motorists piloting larger vehicles to refrain from using this segment of the roadway, as flood levels remained significantly high during the time of reporting. Some sections of the road have been reduced to just one operable lane due to the floodwaters and long stretches of pooling water that extend up to 500 metres. In response to these flood-stricken areas of Chanthaburi, additional resources including flat-bottomed boats and towering trucks have been deployed. These are operated by a contingent of rescue personnel, military officers, and defense volunteers, all doing their utmost to assist the inhabitants affected by the flooding. Knicknamed…

The bustling metropolis of Bangkok has long served as Thailand’s economic locomotive, pulsating with productive energy. However, as this growth engine loses momentum, it opens the way for other rising cities like Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Rayong to step in. Critical to their ascension will be massive investments in pioneering urban projects such as mass transit systems and renewable energy platforms, suggests the “Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment” study. To back these ambitious endeavors though, cities cannot solely depend on contributions from the central government. The report advocates the exploration of other financial avenues such as municipal loans and public-private partnerships. Urban expansion will bestow remarkable benefits to rural and urban inhabitants alike. The development of reliable transportation networks, the installation of comprehensive electrification systems and enhanced access to markets, school systems and health institutions are just a few highlighted perks. These advances will streamline the cross-city movement of…

Setting its sights on enhancing the urban landscape and improving the day-to-day experiences of both locals and tourists, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has embarked on an ambitious project aptly named “Beautiful Roads”. This initiative rolls out various improvements across the city’s myriad roads, including the optimization of street surfaces, traffic lights, light fixtures, and utilities on the road. Furthermore, it marks a grand new chapter in city planning as it involves a comprehensive rearrangement of street food vendors and general roadside surroundings to elevate the aesthetic appeal of the city. Our source, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, shared that this transformative venture is the result of a fruitful collaboration among key departments such as the BMA, the Public Works Department, the Environment Department, and the Traffic and Transport Department. The initial stages of the project will be focusing their resources on enhancing three major roads in the city, namely, Ram…

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, affirmed his commitment to the plight of the nation’s fisheries industry during a recent visit to Samut Songkhram. This vow comes on the back of pleas from industry representatives urging the fresh-faced government to reevaluate extant laws and lessen the blow of stringent measures tailored to curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing. Staunch in his resolve, Thavisin declared that ameliorating the predicament of the fisheries sector was a top-shelf priority for the newly enthroned Pheu Thai-led government. In a bid to take concrete steps, Thavisin, aged 61, suggested the establishment of a task-oriented committee. Expectations are ripe that this board would come under the leadership of Thamanat Prompow, the soon-to-be agriculture minister who also serves as the secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). The objective of the proposed committee is to devise a holistic strategy aimed at resolving the multi-faceted issues…