Don’t worry, be hygienic: that seems to be the mantra of the esteemed virologists in Thailand as they tackle rumors of a norovirus outbreak head-on. Fear not, dear reader, for this buzz is as baseless as a mirage in the desert sun—or so says the trusted virus whisperer, Yong Poovorawan. This illustrious expert heads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University and has reassured the citizens in a candid Facebook post that the so-called outbreak is nothing but a digital chimera, a hoax born from the depths of social media’s furthest reaches. For over a decade, the center has delved into the elusive world of noroviruses, mapping their every twist and turn like fearless cartographers of the microbial universe. Although norovirus cases tend to creep up as the mercury dips, the pandemic era’s cleanliness spree had temporarily banished this germ to lower-profile quarters. Alas, now that the…
Posts published in “Thailand”
Ngern Tid Lor Public Company Limited, popularly known by its stock ticker TIDLOR, has made a jubilant announcement that will surely bring smiles to its shareholders. The company has decided to reward its loyal investors with a delightful interim cash dividend of 0.438 Baht per share. This amounts to a generous 40% of its net profit accrued over the first nine months of 2024. Mark your calendars, as the record date for shareholders eligible to receive this monetary gift is set for January 6, 2025, with the funds scheduled to be transferred into well-deserving pockets by January 17, 2025. When asked about this significant decision, the Managing Director, Mr. Piyasak Ukritnukun, shared, “Our financial performance this year has been nothing short of impressive. With substantial retained earnings and strong liquidity backing us, coupled with our optimistic outlook for 2025, we believe now is the perfect moment to declare this special…
As we approach the much-anticipated New Year holiday, airports across the nation are gearing up to accommodate a staggering influx of travelers. Imagine the bustling scenes unfolding at Suvarnabhumi Airport, captured in a photograph from early April 2024, when throngs of outbound travelers eagerly made their way through the passenger terminal. Little did they know that the future would hold an even greater surge in flight activity. The Transport Ministry has projected an eye-popping 18,280 flights across nationwide airports between December 27 and January 2. This equates to a dizzying average of 2,211 flights per day, a 14% increase compared to the same festive period last year, according to Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri. The data, painstakingly compiled by the diligent teams at Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (better known as Aerothai), has the aviation sector buzzing with anticipation. But what’s fueling this uptick in domestic air travel? It seems…
As the vibrant city of Bangkok bustles with anticipation for the New Year, an extra layer of vigilance is set to envelop its streets. In a decisive move to bolster road safety during this festive time, the government has declared an extension to its annual New Year road safety campaign, now unfolding over a span of ten days. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong unveiled this strategic extension, sanctioned by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, spotlighting a belt-up to shield the public amidst the celebratory chaos. Originally slated to kick off on December 27 and wind up by January 2, the campaign will now stretch its protective embrace until January 5, 2024. This initiative springs from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s profound concern for the well-being of citizens. It reflects a stern commitment to drastically curtail the frequency of road mishaps, a significant portion of which stem from the often-deadly mix…
The bustling aroma of Thai cuisine is making its bold leap from Bangkok street corners to the global stage, and it’s not just any leap—it’s almost a royal entrance! Spearheaded by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, a vibrant new initiative is underway to catapult Thai SELECT products and services into the spotlight of international markets. Joined by influential figures from around the globe, this campaign promises to spice up the world’s palate and elevate the Thai SELECT logo to gleam as a beacon of quality. Imagine tasting the meticulously crafted flavors of Thailand with the royal endorsement of Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi herself. Picture this regal scene: alongside world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, the Princess orchestrates the perfect symphony of crispy noodles and the heartwarming notes of chicken massaman curry. This culinary concert didn’t just stay in the kitchen. Oh…
As we usher in the New Year, the stakes are higher, and the need for safety has never been more pressing. With the sound of fireworks ringing in the air and the excitement of resolutions taking center stage, the Thai government has announced a crucial extension to its annual road safety campaign. Originally planned to span a week, the initiative now stretches from December 27 to January 5. This 10-day campaign, as Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong revealed on Thursday, reflects a committed effort to safeguard the lives of citizens as they revel in the spirit of the season. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made it clear that public safety is not just a priority, but a responsibility. Her dedication to this cause is evident in the additional days added to the campaign, which is spearheaded by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee. The rationale is simple yet profound: fewer…
Diabetes is swiftly becoming a global health crisis, and Thailand is no exception. Back in 2021, over 537 million people around the world were grappling with this condition, a figure that’s projected to soar to 643 million by 2030. Alarmingly, diabetes claims about 6.7 million lives every year, equating to one life lost every five seconds. As we look ahead to 2040, predictions from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) warn that Thailand alone could see up to 5.3 million individuals living with diabetes. But it’s not just diabetes itself that’s concerning—it’s a major precursor to other serious non-communicable diseases such as heart ailments, strokes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. To mark World Diabetes Day 2024, the Diabetes Association of Thailand, in an impressive collaboration with the Association of Thai NCD Alliance, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Limited, is hosting the spectacular ‘Bangkok Ride and Run 2024: Reimagine…
In a bustling and vibrant parliament meeting, lawmakers gathered with an air of anticipation as a controversial bill made its way through the legislative process. The anticipation crescendoed with the bill’s second and third readings, successfully passing through the House of Representatives. This particular piece of legislation was designed to grant parliamentary committees the authority to hold state officials accountable for failing to attend parliamentary inquiries, a move that has sparked spirited debates across political aisles. However, the journey did come with its share of dramatic twists. A tempestuous discussion arose around the bill’s most contentious section, which sought to extend the committees’ power, also enabling them to compel legal private entities to heed their summons. The proposal was met with fierce opposition and contentious deliberations. Ultimately, this measure was decisively voted down in the second reading and removed before the remaining sections breezed through the third and final reading.…
In the kaleidoscope of Thai politics, where allegiances are as fluid as the Mekong River, a dramatic shift recently unfolded under the grand dome of parliament. The charismatic Capt Thamanat Prompow, who once helmed the turbulent seas as the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) secretary-general, has navigated with undeniable flair into the realms of the Kla Dharma Party. Leading a robust crew of 20 former PPRP MPs, this strategic maneuver has ballooned Kla Dharma’s ranks to a formidable 24 members. News hounds and political wonks gathered eagerly as Capt Thamanat shared this seismic update during a lively press conference—a spectacle marked by parliamentary pomp and the subtle theatrics of political realignments. Capt Thamanat’s saga is a riveting chronicle of party politicking and power plays. The narrative traces back to a patchy rift with Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the towering PPRP figurehead. Captain Thamanat, wielding his group of MPs with a rebellious flourish,…
As the dawn of 2025 approaches, Citi Thailand is lighting up with optimism about the country’s economic prospects. Pivotal domestic investments from both public coffers and the bustling private sector are poised to lift Thailand’s economy to new heights. Meanwhile, the ever-flourishing tourism industry continues to pack a punch as a principal catalyst for growth. In a promising forecast, the bank foresees Thailand’s GDP climbing to 3.2% in 2025, stepping up from the 2.7% projection for the preceding year. Nalin Chutchotitham, a key figure as the Director and Economist for Thailand and the Philippines at Citi Thailand, shared insights at the Bangkok Post Dinner Talk 2024. According to her, this positive trajectory can be traced back to several driving factors, chiefly the steady release of funds from the fiscal budget this year, a move anticipated to fuel economic dynamism into the next. In this optimistic scenario, the bank predicts an…