Acknowledging that certain reforms were unexpectedly swift, including decisive strides to curtail energy expenses, succor farmers, promote tourism, and harness the power of soft diplomacy, Prommin Lertsuriyadej avowed that the Thai government had an array of policies planned for rolling out in the subsequent months. He also recognized a momentous economic toll exacted on the Thai economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, indicating a contraction of GDP by 7% due to the impact. The rebound, he noted, was laboriously sluggish, which raised eyebrows over the state of economic recovery. Another indicator that underscores the ticking economic time bomb is the debt-to-GDP ratio that burgeoned from 70% in 2012 to a staggering 90% today, putting Thailand’s economy in a tight spot. An eroding inflation, dwindling from 5.02% in January to a meager 0.30% in September, painted a dire picture of the hard-pressed Thai population’s purchasing power. The situation has been exasperated…
Posts published in “Thailand”
An intriguing tale unfolded when a 75-year-old woman from Thailand was duped out of an astounding 18 million baht in a romance scam, orchestrated by an enigmatic swindler. This con artist cunningly persuaded her to invest in a so-called promising venture called “Gold Future”, and within months, managed to swindle her out of her fortunes, turning the golden dreams into a grim nightmare. The victim’s son, in an interview with Channel 7, unveiled this shocking story. He recollected that his mother had approached him with the Gold Future business proposal in July, promising astronomical returns. He was quick to smell fishy play due to the unrealistic profits guaranteed, and cautioned his mother strongly against any engagement with this suspect business idea. Not foreseeing the scam, the elderly lady fell deeper into the trap by borrowing 1 million baht from her sons in August. What puzzled the son was a subsequent…
Feeling the way of emotional turmoil with a lurking shadow of desolation and shock, Kittiphong Chaiko, a courageous Thai migrant worker hailing from Nong Bua Lamphu made a safe return to his home country, Thailand, after surviving a gruesome terrorist onslaught orchestrated by the notorious political faction – Hamas in Israel. The chilling echos of the lost lives of his fellow colleagues still resided in his consciousness, making each thought more weighty and stirring than the previous one. Touching down at the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport at exactly 12.20pm today, Kittiphong made it absolutely clear that he has no intentions of going back to Israel. This decision most likely stems from the haunted memories of his workplace, now in shambles in the wake of the terrible attack. The tragic unveiling of the event left him in a state where he’s at a loss for words, unable to express the horror he…
Soi Nana, a bustling nightlife hub in Bangkok, brims with a myriad of pubs and bars ready to cater to the night owls. An intriguing development is currently unfolding, with the Interior Ministry collaborating with several stakeholders to identify suitable locations for a pioneering initiative. The government has conceived a plan that would permit night entertainment venues to extend operational hours till 4 am. This plan was initiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after adhering to a novel regulation implemented by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The proposed change stipulates an extension in the operating hours of night entertainment facilities from the current 2 am deadline till 4 am. The identification of potential pilot locations is now under process, scheduled to be accomplished once all stakeholders, which include law enforcement authorities and entrepreneurs, set forth safety protocols and operational principles, relayed Anutin. Upon being queried about the…
The intense conflict between Israel and Hamas has not just affected the immediate parties involved. The reverberations of this war are felt across the world, with foreigners who reside in Israel finding themselves trapped in a war zone. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand voiced his concerns over the vulnerability of his Thai compatriots residing in Israel. Primarily working in Israel’s agricultural sector, around 30,000 Thai nationals are now in a dangerous quandary due to the conflict. The war scenario laden with rocket attacks presents a frightening reality to these individuals far from home. Thailand’s Prime Minister has revealed the shocking truth that the highest nationality-wise casualties in the conflict are Thai citizens. “Thais are innocent bystanders in this war, yet we bear a disproportionate number of losses,” stated Srettha Thavisin. The urgency of the situation demands strategic evacuation to ensure the safety of Thai nationals – a difficult task…
Established authority in Thailand’s rail network, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is setting the stage for broad enhancements to its railway system, that would further improve the transport links within the country, specifically in the north-eastern region. The second phase of a significant double-track upgrade from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai is about to take off, as revealed by the Department of Rail Transport director-general, Pichet Kunathammarak. The proposed works, projected to cost a whopping 29.7 billion baht, are set to transform a 167-kilometre stretch of track into a double-track route. The SRT is gearing up to secure the funds via a loan, which would be repaid by the government via annual budgeting provided by the Budget Bureau. Integrated with governmental plans and mandates from nationally impactful units such as the Budget Bureau and the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC), the proposal is expected to be greenlit…
On February 23, 2022, citizens are seen availing of financial services at the Government Savings Bank hub. Amid challenging times, the government of Thailand has established a clear goal to reduce household debt to below 80% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by providing various debt resolution mechanisms to aid individuals in financial distress. This announcement was made by deputy government spokeswoman, Rudklao Suwankiri, on a Friday. As per the Bank of Thailand’s records, the household debt for the first quarter amounted to a whopping 16 trillion baht, which is a concerning 90.6% of the GDP. The Government Savings Bank (GSB), on the auspicious occasion of Navamindra Maharaj Day, commenced a series of options for individuals that face complications in debt reimbursement and to those whose debts have been labeled as non-performing loans (NPLs). This initiative, introduced by Ms. Rudklao, is an integral segment of the government’s financial growth policy.…
Recently, the media was briefed by Chai Wacharong, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, about Prime Minister Srettha’s diplomatic visit. Prime Minister Srettha had a meeting with the 16th Malaysian King, Al-Sultan Abdullah, on October 11. A key highlight of their discussion was the acknowledgement of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s instrumental contributions. Both nations share a cordial relationship, more so at the royal level. Particularly, King Abdullah expressed his deep appreciation for Thailand’s commendable efforts in wildlife conservation while addressing the concerns of wildlife crossing the border into Thailand from Malaysia. To this effect, Prime Minister Srettha promised to tackle the issue promptly to prevent its recurrence. The Malaysian King displayed a keen interest in placing a joint bid with other Asean countries, including Thailand, to host the 2034 World Cup soccer event. This potential collaboration is anticipated to greatly benefit both countries. Numerous tourists from Malaysia frequent Thailand, making…
Prasert took a moment to express his heartfelt condolences for the heartbreaking losses caused by the ongoing conflict and emphasized the need for public vigilance against cybercriminals potentially soliciting donations. He reminded everyone that such malevolent actions could cause significant financial loss. His advice to concerned citizens was to stay tuned to official updates regarding the Israel-Hamas situation via official government channels and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than seeking information through unreliable online social platforms. Strengthening communication and enhancing safety measures, the Ministry, through the National Telecommunications Company, is rendering free communication services to Israel. Anyone can easily dial 001 800, followed by the needed destination number post the IVR voice prompt. This notable service is conveniently available across all networks. A new initiative is being launched known as the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC). The AOC purports to combat cybercrimes, functioning as a comprehensive one-stop solution centre.…
In a dense forest named “Dong Phaeng”, four pioneering families struck a claim on land that was rich in beauty – setting the stage for what would become an intriguing journey into history. As the popularity of their lush homeland began to increase, more settlers were drawn to the forest, and with the growth in population, it transformed into a bustling settlement named ‘Ban Chiang’. Little did they know, their humble village held a wealth of antiquity beneath its surface, waiting to be found. In an unexpected twist of fate, the remarkable archaeological site of Ban Chiang was unveiled in 1966. It was Harvard student Steve Young, who stumbled upon the treasure trove, quite literally. While wandering the village pathways alongside his trusty assistant, he tripped over a tree root, revealing an array of charming pottery jars nestled just below the surface. Their enticing colours and intricate designs captured Young’s…