The Revenue Department recently highlighted that since the year 2017, an impressive tally exceeding 9.4 million tourists sought VAT refunds, contributing to an astounding total expenditure surpassing 200 billion baht. In the preceding year alone, upwards of 230,000 tourists enriched the Thai economy through their fervent spending which amounted to a staggering 11 billion baht. As a consequence, these tourists were duly compensated with a hefty tax refund quantifying 575 million baht. Fast forwarding to this year, the aforementioned count of tourists applying for refunds witnessed a significant upswing, scaling past the 1.2 million mark. In terms of figures, around 2.3 billion baht was refunded by the government as opposed to a collective spending amount totaling 42 billion baht. However, the year 2021 proved to be the sole outlier, painting a different tale altogether. As the lethal Covid-19 pandemic unfolded in full-swing, tourist spending dwindled to an unprecedented low of…
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In the aftermath of the committee meeting, Srettha took the time to share a detailed outline of the project’s strategy; explaining its necessity, objectives, prerequisites, potential hurdles, and most importantly, the financing source for the project. To propel the project forward, a loan, potentially amounting to as much as 500 billion baht, could be facilitated through a royal decree or a loan authorisation act. However, before Srettha could address the media at the scheduled 2 pm conference, a feverish debate broke out during the 11.15 am committee meeting. At the heart of the discussion was the borrowed fund legislation, perceived as a critical tool to secure much-needed monetary support for the project. First to express his unease was the Bank of Thailand (BOT) governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput. He underscored the need to reconcile potential legal conflicts with the 1958 Currency Act, particularly with regards to clearly delineating funding sources and matching…
In the quaint province of Songkhla, tucked away in captivating Thailand, an under-the-radar health crisis is slowly unfolding — a surge in diabetes cases. Unseen to many, but prominent enough to raise alarm, the Health Control Office (HCO), positioned at the forefront of this battle, marked a substantial upward trend in local diabetic patients over the years. In the specific health area 12 alone, the numbers have leapfrogged from a minute 4,980 in 2021 to 5,148 the following year, culminating in a noteworthy 5,396 cases in the current year. On a larger scale, Phatthalung, Trang and Songkhla, renowned for their rich cultural heritage, found themselves leading the pack with 7,555, 6,820, and 6,219 patients in that order. Thailand’s very own Health Data Center (HDC) corroborates this rising concern, shedding light on a nationwide trend. From 7,010 cases per 100,000 population in 2021, the numbers have ascended to 7,336 the next…
The Korat Juvenile Training Centre, famously known for its discipline and rectitude, was yesterday’s scene of a rather tumultuous pandemonium. As it stands, a tense skirmish unfolded when 27 juveniles brewed an uprising, unfortunately leading to the injury of four inmates. A seemingly ordinary day took a dramatic twist when placid atmospheres were replaced with cresting waves of discontent. The seed of the chaos was a demand for the release of a feared gang leader, locally known as ‘Big Boss’, who had been put into isolation subsequent to a rigorous interrogation session. Alarmed by the brewing tensions that threatened to break into a full-blown riot, officials at the Training Centre promptly placed a distress call to the local authorities. Worthy of note was the rapid response from the Pho Klang Police Station and the Huak 31 Rescue Unit, two esteemed institutions in the Nakhon Ratchasima region. Further reports divulged that…
Maxine Chi, a renowned Taiwanese entertainer graced the news recently, following the birth of her agape bundle of joy. High in spirits and basking in the light of motherhood, Chi, along with her better half, embarked on a journey to the scenic landscapes of Canada. The voyage undertaken involved meticulous preparations for the birth, perfectly planned a month in advance. The epochal occasion was thereafter announced to the world via the first tantalizing picture of the newborn, spectacularly shared by the new Mom – Chi. In the picture that captured a thousand hearts and glaring eyeballs, Chi could be seen adorably cradling her newborn against her chest. The image that depicted a mother’s love in its raw essence was however slightly clad as she was shirtless. This stirred a wave of controversy amongst digital spectators. This singular snapshot of postpartum vulnerability and strength sparked a whirlwind of discussions amongst Taiwanese…
The manhunt is on for escaped prisoner, Chaowalit Thongduang, known as Sia Paeng Nanod, who was serving a 20-year jail term for attempted murder. A special military unit skilled in dense forest navigation has joined the relentless search. Believed to be hiding in the thickly forested Banthad mountain range in Trang province, the pursuit continues unabated despite harsh weather conditions. Experts from Naresuan Camp, bestowed with the responsibility to navigate the tough terrains of Phetchaburi province, have arrived at Trang to aid in the search. The hunt was initially spearheaded by over thirty motorcycling officers from Trang provincial police, who have fearlessly navigated through tricky terrains and inclement weather conditions. Officers from the border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat have also joined the search efforts, forming a formidable force. With a single-minded focus to re-capture the escapee, authorities have undertaken arduous foot expeditions in the mountainous region which are…
The atmosphere was electrified with suspense yesterday as rescue workers and onlookers assembled at the site of a shocking shooting incident that transpired on Sunthon Kosa Road, situated in the bustling Klong Toey district. An unfortunate woman tragically lost her life, succumbing to her gunshot injuries, while a man fights for his life, seriously wounded after a hail of bullets interrupted the daily life in the busy Klong Toey district. The authorities received reports of gunfire that had erupted right outside the local Thanachart Bank (TTB) branch on Sunthon Kosa Road. Once the law enforcement officers and other first responders arrived on the scene, they discovered a disturbing sight. Two individuals had been critically injured, alongside the unsettling presence of a knife that had been left behind by the perpetrators. Witnesses flooded the police with accounts of how the assailants, seemingly without a shred of mercy, started shooting at a…
In commemoration of a decade of thriving mutual associations, Kosovo and Thailand look to the introduction of a visa-exempt regulation, unlocking unrestricted travel opportunities for their respective citizens. The exciting announcement was made by Ulpiana Lama, the esteemed Kosovar Charge d’affaires, at the “Thailand-Kosovo Business Collaboration Dialogue and Networking Lunch” held on the premises of the Kosovo Embassy in Bangkok. This plan, according to Ms. Lama, serves as an embodiment of the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their cordial bilateral ties. The proposed the idea of this regulatory change serves as a catalyst to take the relationship between the two countries to newer and greater heights. The roots of the diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Kosovo, a charming country located in the southern parts of Europe, were firmly established on Nov 22, 2013. To elaborate on the deep bond that Kosovo and Thailand share, Ms. Lama stated, “Distinctly excellent…
Recently, a press briefing presented an impressive cache of seized items. These were no ordinary belongings, but equipment, survival kits, firearms, and ammunition, all suspected to belong to the elusive fugitive prisoner, Chaowalit Thongduang, known in secretive circles as Sia Paeng Nanod. This display was not set up in a police station or evidence room, but in the very region where Chaowalit had been hiding, the mountainous Banthad locale spanning across Patthalung and Satun provinces. Invisible threads of tension weave-through the verdant mountains and serene valleys, binding both nature and man under an eerie stillness. The residents in the environment have been gently nudged to evacuate temporarily, to facilitate police operations seeking to locate and apprehend the fugitive. These operations center around the intrepid Chaowalit, who had daringly escaped watchful eyes during a hail of bullets on Wednesday, located in Trang’s Palian district. The pursuit of the notorious Sia Paeng…
Engaged in a relentless tête-à-tête, Thailand’s government recently countered the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP)’s claims that its 10,000 baht digital wallet stimulus program will not materialize. The MFP suggests that the announcement, made Friday, is merely a façade helping the government renege on its promising handout. “Don’t use your imagination to color the intentions of others. The government’s genuine attempts to improve living conditions should not be politicized or turned into public confusion,” rebuked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to MFP’s deputy leader, Sirikanya Tansakun. To fuel the program, the government is lobbying for a bill that would greenlight borrowing 500 billion baht. However, Ms. Sirikanya counters this attempt, stating that the bill could be deemed unconstitutional and break financial and fiscal discipline laws. The borrowing venture’s significance does not justify its pressing status, she added. On the contrary, the Pheu Thai Party illuminated the urgency of stimulating the Thai…