The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is stepping up to the plate with a new lifeline in the form of a loan scheme. This financial aid is meticulously crafted with the small-scale self-employed individual in mind. These are your taxi drivers, motorcycle riders, and online sellers who have been dealt a heavy blow by the increasing cost of living, leading to dwindling income and financial distress. GSB’s hope is that these loans, which can reach up to a staggering 100,000 baht and come with an eight-year repayment timeline, will help alleviate these financial burdens and breathe some life back into an otherwise strenuous economic landscape. GSB’s director, Witthaya Rattanakorn, shared the big news of this financial scheme launching, explaining that it was born out of the governational directive aimed at helping taxi drivers, public transport workers, and self-employed individuals who are treading water due to the biting economic climate. This loan…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Envisaging a surge in tourist footfall from China and Kazakhstan as a result of the new visa-free policy coming into effect next week, the Immigration Bureau (IB) is gearing up by bolstering its officer count at the bustling Suvarnabhumi International Airport. This more accessible entry for nationals of the mentioned countries, announced in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and given a green light on Sept 13, will be in operation from Monday till Feb 29 of the following year. Deputy police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot took the initiative to meet with officers from Immigration Division 2 stationed at the airport on Tuesday. The purpose of this meeting was to delve into the preparations put in place to accommodate and greet the incoming influx of tourists expected during the tourist high season. According to Pol Lt Gen Thatchai, the airport is predicted to witness a large increase in traffic…
In the recent uproar over the travel expenses of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s chartered flight to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Natreeya Thaweewong, the PM’s deputy secretary, came forward with clarifications. The trip, held between Sept 18-24, reportedly cost a staggering 30-million-baht, raising eyebrows and leading to calls for investigation by political activist, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn. The PM’s travel involved chartering a Thai Airways International (THAI) flight, which flew from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Big Apple with a layover in Tokyo. In Responding to these inquiries, Ms. Natreeya, who organized the travel details, explained that an e-bidding process was in place to ensure a fair price. Initially, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) had proposed 32 million baht for a charter flight service, whereas Thai Airways had asked for 25 million. However, the final cost with Thai Airways rose to 30 million baht owing to an increase…
Drifting gently in the emerald green waves off the coast of Chon Buri, a small army of mussels cling desperately to their maritime farms. These industrious molluscs, the foundation of the local fishermen’s livelihoods, are under siege. A formidable foe in the form of a dense bloom of plankton is turning the ocean into an aquatic Death Valley. Marine researchers have reported instances where concentrations of plankton in the Gulf of Thailand have surged tenfold, transforming the water into a vibrant, yet deadly, canvas of jade and lime. The abnormally high plankton levels have, in fact, metamorphosed the water body into a wasteland, devoid of marine life. Tanuspong Pokavanich, a respected marine scientist, has painted an ominous portrait of the grim scenario saying, “I’ve never seen it be this bad. It’s exceptionally severe.” Though plankton blooms typically make their yearly appearance once or twice, and for a duration of mere…
In a strategic alliance to bolster cybersecurity education and awareness, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is joining forces with Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to launch the ‘Thailand Cyber Top Talent 2023’. Scheduled to unfold in a popular game show – Jeopardy – styled competition, Capture the Flag (CTF), the contest is intended to spur passion among young talent and the general public in the challenging realm of cybersecurity. The initiative is more than just a competition; it offers a platform to learn, refine, and amplify cybersecurity expertise to prepare the aspiring workforce for future opportunities while enhancing the country’s resilience against cyber threats. In his keynote address, Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary General of the National Cyber Security Agency, emphasized, “We take great pride, alongside Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., to announce our third installment of Thailand Cyber Top Talent. Bigger and more comprehensive than its predecessor,…
As the sun sets over the bustling Chalong Rat expressway toll plaza, the heart of Bangkok’s thriving transportation, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) gears up for a major proposal. Exat, a beacon of Thailand’s infrastructural growth, plans to table four distinct expressway projects worth a staggering 8 billion baht to the cabinet by the year’s close. This piece of news was made official by the Authority’s governor, Surachet Laophulsuk. According to the governor, Exat is diligently working on a total of 14 project proposals set to be presented to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit within the month. Four of these well-thought-out projects are fully prepared for immediate bids and construction, aiming for the groundwork to commence within a year. These projects combined come with a projected budget reaching an impressive 89.7 billion baht and are all planned to be proposed to the cabinet within a swift three-month window. The first…
The port of Ranong, appointed by the Customs Department, boasts the highest lighthouse in Thailand and is found off the coast of the Andaman Sea. This vibrant port plays a crucial role in an imminent southern land bridge megaproject that promises to boost the region’s economy and enhance the connectedness of the nation’s territories. An influential figure who is eager for this project to press ahead is Wichai Sudsawat, an MP from the coalition Unitied Thai Nation (UTN) Party. Hailing from the province of Chumphon, he expressed his worry about the future of the crucial endeavor before the House recently. According to Sudsawat, his constituency, along with the rest of the southern region, stands a great deal to gain from this pathbreaking project set forth by the UTN with goals to amplify connectivity between land and marine infrastructure, thereby ushering in economic prosperity. The scope of this ambitious project expands…
The natural gas for vehicles (NGV) market in Thailand feels the sting as the price per kilogram skyrockets to almost 20 baht, causing a simmering unease among truck operators who finally bring their grievances forward to the Energy Ministry. On a sober Monday, a noteworthy collection of 64 transportation operators sat around a vast table, their faces etched with distress as they aired their mounting concerns. This meeting was steered by two eminent personalities – Apichart Pairoongreung, the resolute chairperson of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, and Jitakorn Padetsuk, the influential leader of the Chachoengsao Chamber of Commerce. In the early hours of a chilly September 16 morning, the retail price of NGV witnessed an unsettling surge from 18.59 baht to 19.59 baht per kilogram. The whispers of another likely escalation to 20.59 baht per kilo by the year-end, specifically mid-December, only add to the growing trepidation among transport…
In an exploratory investigation on the adaptation strategies businesses employ to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Thai Private Sector for Development Office (TPSO) revealed a keen but constrained commitment from small and medium businesses. The study highlights the growing recognition of environmental urgency but also the existing obstacles SMEs face – largely stemming from financial constraints and a knowledge deficit. Interestingly, the pattern of consumer preferences exhibited a noticeable swing towards eco-friendly products. TPSO’s esteemed director, Poonpong Nainapakorn, provided insights into their comprehensive project titled “Study of Thai Business Adaptation Guidelines for Environmental Trade Measures: The Case of GHG Emission Reduction”. This project embarks on consumer surveys, engages in detailed discussions with business owners, and puts forth recommendations to business and governmental sectors. It primarily aims to inspire informed policy decisions that will empower businesses to adapt seamlessly while preserving their market edge. The survey included a substantial 5,012…
Renowned for its advanced healthcare and medical facilities, Thailand has established itself as a key player in the global health tourism sector, providing high-quality medical and health services at affordable rates. The country’s network of approximately 400 private hospitals is rigorous in their ongoing drive to bolster their technological prowess and staff skills to match international standards. Undoubtedly, the pivotal role private hospitals play in providing excellent healthcare services to foreign visitors contributes to Thailand’s appeal on the medical tourism map. Dr. Chalerm Harnpanich, the esteemed President of the Private Hospitals Association, elaborated on this relationship during his speech at the “Medical Fair Thailand 2023” held on September 13. Dr. Harnpanich underscored how medical tourism constitutes a significant proportion of the revenue earned by private hospitals. This high-profile event, which continued until September 15, was hosted by the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec). Statistics from the Global Wellness…