In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airports may struggle to accommodate the increased flight demand. The perfect remedy, however, noted Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, lies in enhancing their capabilities through expansion initiatives. Both the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and the Department of Airports (DOA) will conduct extensive research on the expansion of existing airports in addition to the creation of new ones, all in an effort to support the escalating demands of travel. A key point of discussion included the limitations surrounding the expansion of Phuket Airport due to the increase in passenger volume. A solution proposed was the construction of another airport in close proximity, specifically in Phang Nga. Thorough research suggests that the Khok Kloi Subdistrict of Phang Nga would be an ideal location for this new airport venture. Currently, the ministry is examining whether the new airport should operate as a private-public cooperative or remain under…
THAI.NEWS - Thailand Breaking News
On a recent Wednesday, Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, delighted many by announcing a recently approved policy that is set to lure visitors from China and Kazakhstan to Thailand. This ground-breaking initiative removes the requirement for tourists from these countries to pay for a visa for a five-month period spanning from the end of September to the end of February. The aim is clear – stimulate tourism in the region known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Following this proclamation, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Transport Minister, shared plans that Ministry officials and Cabinet members will head on an exploratory visit to Chiang Mai International Airport. Slotted for September 15 and 16, the purpose of this mission is to gauge the readiness of the airport facility to cope with an expected surge in tourists influx. Closely related is the progress review of the construction works of the second…
Severe weather alert! The Thai Meteorological Department cautions residents of an impending drenching, with a vast 70-80% of northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and Bangkok regions set to experience this heavy downpour. All this due to an aggressive monsoon trough currently traversing over Myanmar and Northern Laos, expected to shift into a low-pressure cell over northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin shortly. This weather system, aligning with the moderate southwest monsoon reigning over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, is a recipe for copious rains, particularly concentrated in specific areas within the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern territories. Inhabitants of these regions are highly recommended to be on guard for any resultant hazards from the substantial precipitation and potential flash floods particularly in elevations adjacent to water bodies and low-lying areas. In the northern territories, anticipate thunderstorms enveloping approximately 80% of the region, inducing heavy rain in…
Weaving an intricate tapestry of diplomacy and mutual learning, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives recently illuminated Bangkok with the 23rd convention of the Thailand-Australia Joint Working Group on Agriculture. This prestigious event witnessed the synergy of two nations coming together to exchange agronomical wisdom, knowledge, and innovative strategies. The guest delegation was astutely led by the First Assistant Secretary of the Trade and International Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. The quintessential aim of this skilled diplomat was to facilitate in-depth discussions about the interchange of agricultural policies, with a special focus on sustainable agricultural development methods practiced by both nations. This marked an important step to broaden the horizons of academic cooperation across a multitude of domains. The symposium had invaluable discussions revolving around Sustainable Development Goals, a brainchild of the United Nations, as confirmed by the Thai ministry. Thailand seized this golden opportunity to showcase…
The brainchild behind the innovative ‘Robotics for Kids’ (R4K) project, www.r4kclub.com, rests in the vision of a single individual. His ambitious vision? Empowering underprivileged children throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia with foundational knowledge in robotics and programming. Why? Because he’s passionate about bridging the learning opportunity gap and tackling educational inequality head-on. I had the recent pleasure of speaking with this inspiring individual, Kris, exclusively for The Nation. Unsurprisingly, Kris chats about his lifelong creative tinkering, dating back to his childhood where LEGO sets were his preferred canvas. His curiosity eventually found a new obsession: robotics. “Discovering robotics was like crossing paths with a black hole – I was irresistibly drawn in,” Kris explains, his eyes lighting up. “Here was something I could engineer, something tangible, something that could move and interact with the real world. I dove headfirst into robotics courses, eventually making my way to prestigious competitions like…
Thailand boasts over 35,000 enterprises directly influencing or benefiting from the space economy. These contribute an aggregated economic worth of approximately 56 billion baht annually, states KMITL’s rector, Associate Professor Komsan Maleesee. The proposition of a regional space hub kindles the prospect of novel career possibilities in a vast array of professions. Along with showcasing exhilarating career prospects, a regional hub would enable local authorities to deploy space technology for disaster prediction and monitoring. This would facilitate the tracking of natural calamities like floods and droughts, PM2.5 air pollution, forest fires, and climate change repercussions, thereby promoting public safety. International space organizations have conducted extensive research and chosen Chumphon province as a promising location for this groundbreaking project. Its proximity to the Equator makes it an ideal spot for a spaceport erection. With the establishment of the new space hub, Thailand joins the elite association of top-notch launch facility hosts,…
The reins of the committee are firmly gripped by the premier, who will exercise his dual role of both leader and finance minister, as revealed by Julapun Amornvivat, the dynamic Deputy Finance Minister. On the 11th of September, an unwavering policy declaration was issued to Parliament by the gallant Pheu Thai-led coalition. They voiced their pledge that the grand handout of a 10,000 baht digital wallet is well-intentioned. It was presented as an apostle of financial prudence and won’t be a menace to the country’s public debt. The funding for the project comes from the vast coffers of the budgetary framework, promising robust financial backing at least in the initial phase. The narrative on the allocation process, as well as the all-important timeline, are subtle elements that are yet to be divulged. Srettha, in his inaugural visit to the hallways of the Finance Ministry, is slated for this Thursday, where…
In the lead-up to the general election of May 14, Pheu Thai, a key political entity, made bold promises to its constituents; one of which was to democratize the monumentally crucial 2017 charter. Fast-forward to the inaugural cabinet meeting, and Phumthum finds himself bestowed with the colossal task of steering the constitutional amendment enterprise. His preliminary objective is two-fold; constituting an effective committee and conducting an exhaustive examination of the subject. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, during a press gathering, unveiled his government’s intentions to include Parliament in this monumental amendment endeavor. This consists of defining the nuances of the impending referendum. Asserting an inclusive approach, Srettha expressed his wish to cast the net wider, inviting all sectors, yes, even the public, to wield their influence in contriving the forthcoming “democratic” matrix. In its policy proclamation to Parliament on Monday, the reigning government also highlighted the Articles primed for potential amendment…
On Wednesday, it was reported by the EEC’s Secretary-General, Mr. Jula Sukmanop, that an upcoming amendment would make it easier for Asia Era One Co Ltd to kickstart their work. The company that holds the concession for the high-speed railway from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi to U-Tapao is still in the preparatory stages, finalizing investment privileges with the Board of Investment. As Mr. Sukmanop explained, due to the ongoing preliminary procedures, physical construction on the project hasn’t begun yet. The EEC office projected that this would push the railway’s completion to a year later than originally expected. According to the proposed timeline, construction will span over a period of four years, meaning if it were to commence in the coming year, the anticipated start date of the high-speed railway’s operations would shift from 2027 to 2028. Separately, Mr. Sukmanop unveiled some exciting news pertaining to the EEC’s growth strategy. Recently,…
Dwindling taxes on diesel fuel, clocking at 15 billion baht, does little to offset the spectacularly steel-like surpluses expected to be churned out of various governmental moieties. This excess ranges from an impressive 60 to 70 billion baht. The financial engine of our robust economy isn’t willing to slow down. The fiscal fortification is buoyed by economic growth, which has seen a surge due to elements such as the auspicious return of foreign tourists and the healthy vitality of domestic consumption. These driving forces have enabled revenue streams to surge beyond prior projections. A specific manoeuvre aimed at cementing this fiscal progress is the strategic reduction of the excise tax on diesel fuel by a significant 2.50 baht per litre. This decision, effective from September 20th and spanning until the year-end, will inevitably generate a loss of 15 billion baht. However, the Finance Ministry has astutely operationalised this loss over…