The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed its intention to appoint Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader of the Move Forward party, as a tourism ambassador to attract more tourists to the country. Pita’s popularity among younger generations, particularly those from China, South Korea, and Japan, could prove beneficial in drawing more visitors to the Land of Smiles, according to TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. As the leader of Move Forward—an eight-party coalition vying for the position of Thailand’s next prime minister—Pita appeals to younger demographics, making him an ideal candidate for promoting the nation’s tourism sector. Yuthasak described Pita as a “key opinion leader,” a marketing term referring to an influential figure with celebrity or expert appeal who can generate interest in a brand. Move Forward Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul has revealed the party’s plans to collaborate with tourism agencies but hasn’t explicitly confirmed whether Pita is considering the role…
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In the wake of Thailand’s May 14 general election, many Malaysian entrepreneurs have adopted a cautious, wait-and-see stance regarding potential shifts in government policy. This observation comes from Sitthiphong Sitthiphatprapha, President of the Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association. The Sadao border checkpoint, located in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, has reportedly experienced a downturn in border trade as well as a drop in the number of Malaysian tourists according to Sitthiphong. This decline seems largely connected to uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s new government and its potential impact on bilateral border trade. In a recent statement made on Thursday, Sitthiphong mentioned that the Malaysian businesspeople he had spoken with are eager to see what changes Thailand’s new government will implement, particularly relating to policies surrounding border trade. They are specifically interested in more clarity regarding the proposed tourist tax. Furthermore, these Malaysian entrepreneurs are also awaiting clear-cut Thai policies on tourism and…
A health official examines cannabis products on Khao San Road in Bangkok in April 2023. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Move Forward Party (MFP) has reaffirmed its plan to reinstate cannabis as a narcotic drug, while ensuring protection for its growers and sellers. MFP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun said on Thursday that her party intends to re-list cannabis as a narcotic through a new Public Health Ministry regulation, which would authorize police and officials involved in narcotics suppression to effectively regulate its usage. Since cannabis was decriminalized last year, the lack of a law governing its use, cultivation, export, and import has hindered the work of officials, she said. The original goal of decriminalization was to promote cannabis for medicinal use and as an economic crop with applications including medicine, food, and beverage production. However, the lack of a law meant that recreational use has also flourished. Ms. Sirikanya did not…
In a world where Covid-19 continues to pose a threat, it’s essential to stay proactive in our efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccination and mask-wearing remain crucial, but imagine having an additional line of defense capable of stopping the virus in its tracks right at the entrance to our respiratory system. This is now possible thanks to an innovative nasal spray called COVITRAP developed by a dedicated research team at Chulalongkorn University in collaboration with several other institutions. Dr. Trairak Pisitkun, Director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Biology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, shares the story behind the inception of COVITRAP. Amid concerns during the first wave of Covid-19, the research team shifted their focus from cancer drug development to finding “highly effective antibodies against Covid-19.” This led to the creation of COVITRAP, a world-first nasal spray using antibodies to trap and inhibit…
During a powerful storm marked by fierce winds and torrential rain, the rooftop of a building collapsed, tragically crushing numerous students who were enjoying their time on the outdoor sports courts below. In the wake of the catastrophe, 18 individuals – including 15 pupils and three guardians – suffered injuries. Those who were injured in the unfortunate event are currently receiving medical attention at three nearby healthcare facilities: Sam Ngam, Wachirabaramee, and Phichit hospitals. Ministry permanent secretary Atthaphon Sangkhawasee provided this information. To provide some initial financial support, the ministry has dispersed compensation payments of 10,000 baht to the families of the victims who lost their lives, while those injured have received between 3,000 to 5,000 baht. In addition to the immediate compensation, students and staff affected by the calamity will also be indemnified through the school’s life insurance policy, Atthaphon mentioned. In an effort to prevent future tragedies and…
National park chief Adisorn Hemthanon has announced that as part of a temporary closure aimed at enhancing the efficiency of tourist attraction management and ensuring visitor safety, Phu Kradueng National Park will be closed for tourism and camping between June 1 and September 30. This decision is in accordance with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s announcement that took place on December 22 of the previous year. To acquire additional information, visitors can call 0 4281 0833 and 0 4281 0834. Phu Kradueng National Park, situated in Si Than subdistrict of Phetchabun Province, spans over a vast area of 348 square kilometers. This popular destination became an official part of Thailand’s national parks on November 23, 1962. The park garners immense admiration from visitors, who flock to experience its remarkable natural abundance and diverse ecosystem, which encompasses grasslands, hillside pine forests, jungles, maple forests, and the native…
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has high hopes for the upcoming festival, believing it will serve as a powerful tool to attract more tourists, particularly food enthusiasts excited about trying unique Thai street food. Deputy TAT Governor Apichai Chatchalermkit told the media on Monday that the festival’s primary goal is to highlight Thailand’s incredible culinary offerings, particularly those special dishes unique to various provinces and communities. The expectation is that the festival will encourage international travelers to explore and savor the delicious dishes available in various regions of the country. The CentralWorld festival will feature four main activities: • Creative Cooking: Visitors can witness captivating cooking demonstrations. • Chef’s Table: Renowned international chefs will present their signature dishes. The roster includes Jacob Jan Boerma, David Gil Rovira, Alejandro Huertas, Ruben Arnanz, Riley Sanders, SAITO, Rick Dingen, Nelson Chantrawan, and Thai chef Chumpol Jangprai. • Street Food: Invited chefs will…
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Ekachat Seetavorarat, is set to attend the APEC Summit in Detroit, Michigan, from Thursday to Friday (May 25-26), according to the department director-general, Auramon Supthaweethum. During the summit, there will be various discussions centered around APEC’s role in supporting multilateral trading, promoting sustainable and inclusive trade through concrete guidelines, continuing the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy, and propelling the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and Aotearoa Plan of Action to address global environmental challenges. As the host of this year’s APEC Summit, the United States will emphasize continuity of outcomes from last year’s summit in Thailand, particularly in regard to the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy. This commitment demonstrates that APEC members remain dedicated to fostering trade development in conjunction with sustainability, inclusiveness, and participation from all sectors. To encourage the APEC economies to focus on the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy, the United States…
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, a distinguished deputy governor at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), recently unveiled a delectable new campaign, “Thailand’s Hidden Dishes,” set to take center stage at the highly anticipated “Bangkok International Food Festival.” Running from Friday to next Tuesday, this festival will be hosted at the magnificent CentralWorld venue. Designed to whet the appetites of gastronomes, the campaign highlights five regional “hidden dishes” that promise to delight your taste buds. These mouthwatering selections include: Central: Savor the rich flavors of Kaeng Hua Node, a divine toddy palm curry originating from Phetchaburi. North: Relish the savory taste of Moo Pad Rak Chu, an exquisite pork dish fried with garlic chives, hailing from Chiang Rai. South: Indulge in the exotic Kaeng Nam Khoei Yod Wai, a sumptuous shrimp paste curry combined with Calameae from the charming region of Phatthalung. Northeast: Dive into the hearty Or Pla, a traditional…
Recent sightings of panthers, also known as leopards, have become quite prevalent at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province. This renowned park, which is home to the magnificent creatures, is situated along the Khao Sam Yod-Ban Krang-Phanoen Thung route in Kaeng Krachan district. Visitors to the area have the unique opportunity to capture stunning pictures and videos of these elusive animals, thanks to the diligent work of park officials, who shared the news via a Facebook post. Kaeng Krachan National Park holds a special place for leopards (Panthera Pardus) as it is considered one of the prime spots where these majestic beings can be sighted by visitors. The national park authorities take great pride in showcasing the stunning pictures and videos captured by tourists, which serve as a testament to the rich biodiversity of the park. This content not only garners admiration from the people of Thailand but also…