The idea of gliding over lush treetops while soaking in breathtaking landscapes sounds tempting, doesn’t it? That’s precisely the allure driving the ambitious cable car project being considered at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. This endeavor, under the stewardship of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), recently got a boost with a two-year extension for its feasibility study, marking a pivotal step towards transforming this vision into reality. Director-General of the DNP, Attapol Charoenchansa, recently shared insights from consultations with the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), revealing that the department has greenlighted a two-year permit for conducting exhaustive studies in the verdant expanses of the proposed route. This elongated timeframe is meant to encapsulate every intricate assessment necessary, including a comprehensive feasibility study, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and meticulous design specifications. Should the stars align and the EIA garner the coveted…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In recent times, Thailand’s economy has been navigating through rough seas, with Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira acknowledging the impending “turbulence” that is on the horizons over the next six months. As the country’s finance minister, Mr. Pichai attributed this potential economic evolution largely to the ripple effects of a fluctuating global economy. The winds of change started blowing when US President Donald Trump initiated a new tariff policy that sent ripples across the global economic landscape. “There’s been a major global shift, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, which has impacted all economies,” said Mr. Pichai. He expressed optimism that the world will eventually find a new balance under these changed conditions but cautioned that, in the short term, Thailand might hit a rough patch. The anticipated downturn calls for an agile and ongoing assessment of the situation. Currently basking in the surplus of trade with the…
Moody’s Ratings recently spiced things up for Thailand’s financial scene, and not in the way anyone was hoping. The renowned ratings agency shifted the outlook of seven major Thai financial institutions from stable to negative. This somber list reads like a who’s who of Thailand’s banking heavyweights: Bangkok Bank (BBL), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Kasikornbank (KBank), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) along with its tech-centric partner SCB X, TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIMT). This twist of fate didn’t appear out of thin air. Just a day prior, Moody’s put the spotlight on Thailand’s government, switching its outlook to the chilling label of negative. The backdrop to this drama is Thailand’s Baa1 sovereign rating’s outlook dropping to negative, signaling storm clouds over its economic and fiscal fortitude. This comes amid a whirlwind of global trade tensions and new US tariffs, contributing to the world’s ongoing uncertainty cocktail. As…
In a whirlwind of international diplomacy, Thailand seized the chance to advance the long-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) during an engaging bilateral meeting with Russia, orchestrated amidst the bustling Brics Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brazil. This exciting revelation was disclosed by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underlining the nation’s strategic engagement at this significant global congregation. Nikorndej Balankura, the ministry’s eloquent spokesperson, enthusiastically shared this development in a recent briefing, crafted to captivate and inform. Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s vigilant representative, was the distinguished guest of Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, at the monumental Brics Partnership Session in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro on a lively Tuesday. Themed “The Role of the Global South in Reinforcing Multilateralism,” this meeting aimed to capture Brazil’s ambitious Brics chairmanship agenda, fervently seeking to “Strengthen Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” For…
The air in Chatuchak district is heavy with anticipation as efforts continue at the site of the heart-wrenching building collapse. On the evening of April 28, gripping scenes unfolded at the State Audit Office (SAO) where painstaking operations are underway to bring closure to those awaiting news about their loved ones. With a somber dedication, teams have retrieved five more bodies from the tangled remains of Zone D, marking significant progress amidst widespread anguish. According to Suriyachai Rawiwan, the director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, the discovery occurred between the haunting hours of 10pm on Wednesday and 9am Thursday morning. While this is a step forward in the search operation, the journey is far from over. The relentless quest to find the remaining missing individuals continues with an intensity matched by few other human endeavors. Massive machines groan and toil day and night, though their efforts are not…
Amidst the grandeur of the “MOF Journey 150 Years” event held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira took center stage to unveil a proposal that could redefine Thailand’s fiscal landscape. As balloons marked the 150th anniversary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Chunhavajira presented an innovative yet controversial idea aimed at boosting the kingdom’s state income and curbing its budget deficit. In a room filled with anticipation, Minister Chunhavajira broached the subject of re-evaluating the threshold for collecting value-added tax (VAT) from businesses. At present, only those with annual revenues exceeding 1.8 million baht are subject to VAT. However, the minister proposed a visionary “VAT Category 2” akin to systems employed by certain European nations. By implementing a nominal VAT rate of 1% on businesses earning 1.5 million baht a year, Thailand could potentially rake in an additional 200 billion baht annually. Urban legend has…
The bustling streets of Bangkok reverberated with the vigor and vitality of working-class unity this past Thursday. In an electrifying showcase of comradeship, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation, and numerous labor networks joined forces in a remarkable Labor Day parade. Standing in solidarity, they set out from the iconic City Hall towards Government House, holding a moment of silence in remembrance of their fallen comrades who tragically lost their lives in the devastating collapse of the State Audit Office building. Capturing the essence of their cause, photojournalist Nutthawat Wichienbut immortalized the resolute spirit of these labor champions. The heart of this potent rally was the ardent call for reform—a resonant plea for enhanced protections and equitable treatment for workers across the kingdom. With unwavering determination, the marchers proudly wielded signs and banners, underscoring pressing labor issues like equitable wage adjustments and fair compensation during…
In an unexpected courtroom drama nestled amidst the vibrant streets of Bangkok, two impassioned activists took a stand on March 4, 2021, waving placards like modern-day knights wielding gleaming swords of justice. Their target? The behemoth known as the Royal Thai Army, accused of engaging in digital wizardry, otherwise recognized under the fabled moniker of the information operation (IO). Veteran lensman Pattarapong Chatpattarasill immortalized the moment with snapshots destined to linger in the annals of activist lore. In the midst of this unfolding saga, Maj Gen Winthai Suwaree, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, shot back with a declaration as resolute as a bugle call at dawn. “Perish the thought!” his words seemed to echo through the corridors, “The army does not stage clandestine, military-style IO missions online!” Instead, he claimed, the army’s digital presence serves as an arbiter of truth, a beacon guiding the public away from the…
In the tranquil early hours of May 1st, a fierce fire erupted in Chon Buri, turning a peaceful two-storey wooden house into a scene of devastation. The blaze, which began just as the clock struck 4am, mercilessly consumed the home owned by a resident whose charred remains were later discovered on the upper floor, a heartbreaking testament to the fire’s ferocity. The cause of this fiery disaster remains shrouded in mystery, with authorities still piecing together clues to determine how the flames ignited. Police Lieutenant Prasert Kulbutdee from the Phan Thong Police Station, accompanied by municipal firefighters, dashed to the scene in Phan Thong district. Positioned ominously close to the district’s Electricity Authority office, the fire raged with a voracity that quickly engulfed the entire structure, leaving little but ash in its wake. Firefighters battled valiantly against the blaze, needing more than an hour to bring the hellish inferno under…
In the vibrant heart of Thailand, the echo of voices raised on Labour Day reverberates with a chorus of demands that underscore the urgent need for reform in workers’ rights. At the forefront of this movement, spearheaded by the resolute President of the National Congress of Thai Labour, Panus Thailuan, stands a call for the establishment of a safety net — a risk insurance fund designed to shield workers from the perils of abrupt and unfair dismissals. This proposed fund is more than a mere safety net; it is a lifeline aimed at quelling the all too familiar occurrences where businesses shutter without paying due severance to their loyal employees. Panus passionately champions this cause, envisioning the fund as a beacon of hope that could be realized through strategic amendments to the current labor protection laws. The essence of his plan revolves around compelling employers to contribute, ensuring that in…