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Thailand rated among the best golfing destinations for Indian golfers
‘Thai Golf
Passport’ launched to offer Indian golfers a seamless golf experience in
Thailand post COVID-19. - Alpine Golf & Sports Club (File Photo)
Indian golfers have rated Thailand among the best
golfing destinations in a recent survey jointly conducted by the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office and India-based golf Management
Company, Sports and Leisure Worldwide (SLW).
Mr. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director of the TAT New
Delhi Office, said, “We conducted the survey to ascertain the impact of
COVID-19 on golf tourism to Thailand and were happy to see the enthusiasm to
travel for golf among the Indian golfers.”
A whopping 97% of Indian golfers who took part in the
“Golfing in Thailand” survey rated Thailand as one of the best golfing
destinations. They pointed out Thai hospitality, followed by value for money
and affordable luxury, as the top three key factors for them to travel to
Thailand to play golf.
Thailand’s close proximity to India was another key
factor in influencing the Indian golfers mind in deciding Thailand as the
premier destination for golf holidays, according to the survey.
The survey was conducted during 10-27 July, 2020. The
sample group of 1,005 respondents were made up of golfers from all over
India, including Delhi and NCR (65%), Chandigarh (5%) and others (30%).
Male golfers (98%) constituted the majority of the
respondents with the remaining 2% being female golfers. Of the total, 93%
were members of a golf club and the remaining were non-members. Their
golfing handicaps ranked from 0-9 (12%), 10-18 (60%), and 19-26 (28%).
Almost 88% of the respondents said they were planning
to travel abroad to play golf post COVID-19. Safety was noted as the prime
concern for the outbound travel for 92% of Indian golfers.
Mr. Anil Dev, Managing Director, SLW Group, said,
“Golfers are a little more demanding when it comes to hospitality, and
Thailand wins hands down in that department. We expect Thailand would be the
first destination where the majority of the golfers would travel to for
their first golf holiday post COVID-19.”
Thailand is a dream destination for the golfers from
all around the world, as it has amazing golfing facilities. With more than
250 golf courses ideally located throughout the country, these top quality
courses also offer reasonable green fees, and friendly caddies to attract
golfers to visit this amazing place.
To bring value to this offering, the TAT New Delhi
Office and SLW Group have launched a “Thai Golf Passport” to offer Indian
golfers a seamless golf experience in Thailand. Indian golfers can now be a
part of this rewarding loyalty programme whenever they tee off in Amazing
Thailand and redeem their points for products from more than 200 leading
brands.
“Thailand is a spectacular choice and dream come true
destination for golfers with a stunning and vast selection of golf courses.
We look forward to welcoming international golfers to amazing Thailand once
the COVID-19 situation improves,” Mr. Vachirachai concluded.
For more information about the “Thai Golf Passport”,
contact:
TAT New Delhi Office
A12/4 Vasant Vihar, Ground Floor, New Delhi – 110057
Tel: 91 11 46741111, 41663567-9 Fax: 91 11 41663570,
Email: [email protected]
Website:
www.tourismthailand.in,
www.thailandfirstvisit.com,
www.myweddinginthailand.com
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Thailand prepares traffic flows, alcohol checkpoints for long holidays Sept 4-7
A large
number of people will travel to holiday spots during the substitute Songkran
holidays from September 4-7.
It is expected that a large number of people will
travel to holiday spots during the substitute Songkran holidays from
September 4-7, 2020. The police have been preparing measures to facilitate
traffic flow.
Police Lieutenant General Damrongsak Kittipraphat,
Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), called a
meeting on Thursday to instruct traffic police to prepare to facilitate the
traffic flow of people traveling during the long weekend.
The RTP will cooperate with relevant agencies to form a
rapid response team to facilitate and supervise traffic to reduce road
accidents. Alcohol measurement checkpoints will be set up on secondary
roads. Local police have been instructed to monitor and ensure appropriate
lighting according to traffic conditions. Highway police will be responsible
for the main roads. They will be on alert for gatherings of motorcyclists
especially big bike riders who are at risk of accidents.
Patrol police will cooperate with administrative
authorities, public health officers and military officers to inspect bus
stations and public bus terminals which will be reorganized to reduce
congestion, to comply with the government’s COVID-19 preventive measures. (NNT)
Police Lieutenant
General Damrongsak Kittipraphat, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal
Thai Police (RTP).
Traffic police are
ready to facilitate the traffic flow of people traveling during the long
weekend.
Local police have
been instructed to monitor and ensure appropriate lighting according to
traffic conditions.
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Thailand strives to become rubber glove manufacturing hub
The Ministry
of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) has stressed its policy is to promote
Thailand as a global hub for rubber glove manufacturing to help increase the
demand for natural rubber.
Rubber growers in Thailand have been suffering from low
produce pricing for quite some years, with several efforts already made by
the government to help improve their livelihood. The Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives (MOAC) has stressed its policy is to promote Thailand as a
global hub for rubber glove manufacturing to help increase the demand for
natural rubber.
Mr Alongkorn Ponlaboot, an Advisor to the Minister of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, said today that global demand for rubber
gloves this year will reach 360 billion pieces, worth 40 billion baht, and
promising growth opportunities for rubber glove manufacturers and farmers,
as Thailand is currently the second biggest rubber glove exporter in the
world with 8-15 percent annual growth.
He said the MOAC is working with the Ministry of
Commerce to position Thailand as a global rubber gloves manufacturing hub.
At the upcoming committee meeting on rubber pricing on
9th September, the MOAC will be delivering its policy at the Agritech and
Innovation Center (AIC) to support the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT)
in the development of innovative rubber products, which will help raise
rubber pricing, giving farmers a better income.
The RAOT Governor Nakorn Takkawirapat said that the
Thai rubber processing industry is moving in a good direction, especially
rubber glove manufacturing.
The RAOT has recently launched special loan offers
worth a total of 25 billion baht to assist rubber glove manufacturers to
increase their production capacity and upgrade their equipment, in an effort
to fortify the Thai rubber industry as it strives to become the leading
global exporter of natural rubber and rubber products. (NNT)
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Thai PM confident in government’s performance, will look for new Finance Minister
Prime
Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
After recently appointed Finance Minister Predee
Daochai submitted his resignation, citing health reasons, Prime Minister and
Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, said Mr. Predee’s resignation
would not disrupt the government’s work and projects.
Gen. Prayut said that he was informed that Mr. Predee
had a stroke and was concerned that his condition may worsen, which
eventually led to his resignation. He said the government could continue
with its work because there are regulations allowing relevant officials to
take acting roles and for a deputy prime minister to oversee economic
affairs, including the Ministry of Finance. He played down concerns, saying
the government can still function even if there is a missing component. All
ministries have officials, civil servants, and working groups, as well as
the Prime Minister to supervise their work.
The Prime Minister said Mr. Predee’s resignation will
not affect the Ministry of Finance’s projects that are currently underway,
and they will proceed. Working groups and other cabinet ministers are
overseeing them.
Gen. Prayut said people should refrain from making
comments that aim to damage others, and should put the country’s interests
first. He asked them to have confidence in the government and not to be
attached to individuals. There are officials performing their duties, while
he is overseeing the overall performance.
The Prime Minister added that a new Finance Minister
would be appointed at an appropriate time. (NNT)
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Pattaya NongNooch Tropical Garden opens‘Tourist Information Center’
Pattaya Nong
Nooch Tropical Garden has joined forces with the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, and the Hotel Association and Tourism Association of Chonburi, to
open a Tourist Information Center.
The COVID-19 situation has prompted many businesses,
especially in the tourism sector, to adjust their activities. "Nong Nooch
Tropical Garden", a major tourist attraction in Pattaya, has joined forces
with several tourism organizations including the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, and the Hotel Association and Tourism Association of Chonburi, to
open a Tourist Information Center to supply information about attractions in
Pattaya to tourists who search for such information, when visiting Nong Nooch
Tropical Garden.
The Tourist Information Center will be of assistance to
tourists searching for hotels or other accommodation, and information on
restaurants, in brochures available at the entrance to Nong Nooch Tropical
Garden. Mr. Kamphon Tansajja, President of Nong Nooch Pattaya Garden,
expressed his belief that the move will help promote the tourist attractions
of Pattaya and stimulate tourism and the economy once the "COVID-19"
situation improves.
Mr. Sanphet Suphabowornsathien, Advisor to the
President of the Eastern Thai Hotel Association, said this is another form
of marketing at this time. Nong Nooch Garden Pattaya is one of the landmarks
of Pattaya. When tourists visit Nong Nooch Garden Pattaya, they will find
information on various tourist attractions in the Pattaya region. (NNT)
The Tourist Information
Center will be of assistance to tourists searching for hotels or other
accommodation, and information on restaurants, in brochures available.
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Thai authorities tighten measures against Covid-19 along Myanmar border
All units in border
provinces are ordered to take more stringent measures, with the Royal Thai
Navy patrolling the waterways more regularly after the communicable disease
committee of Mae Hong Son province closed down three temporarily permitted
areas.
Disease-control measures have been reinforced along the
Thai-Myanmar border following a wave of COVID-19 infections in Thailand’s
neighboring country. Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut
Chan-o-cha, has directed all units in border provinces to take more
stringent measures, with the Royal Thai Navy patrolling the waterways more
regularly. Recently, the communicable disease committee of Mae Hong Son
province resolved to close three temporarily permitted areas.
A meeting of the communicable disease committee of Mae
Hong Son, chaired by Provincial Governor Suwaphong Kitiphatphibun, agreed to
close the three temporarily permitted areas in the northern border province
for 15 days, starting September 3. They are located in Ban Huai Phueng of
Muang Mae Hong Son district, Huai Ton Nun of Khun Yuam district and Mae Sam
Laep in Sop Moei district. However, the temporarily permitted area in Ban
Sao Hin of Mae Sariang district will stay open for two days, to facilitate
entrepreneurs transporting their goods across the border. It will close on
September 3.
The committee also resolved that five camps for war
refugees in Mae Hong Son must tighten their public health measures, while
students from the neighboring country are not allowed to enter the province
until the situation improves.
Gen. Prayut ordered police, military and civil officers
to deploy more personnel to prevent migrant workers from wading across
rivers to enter Thailand illegally. He assigned the navy to conduct river
patrols, and all related units to enforce stringent measures in channels and
waterways along the border. Measures must be reinforced along the waterways,
and the Royal Thai Navy will have to conduct more river patrols.
The Deputy Director-General of the Department of
Disease Control, Dr. Thanarak Plipat, said today the number of COVID-19
cases in Myanmar is still increasing. The administrative, security and
public health sectors will remain vigilant along the Thai-Myanmar border to
prevent illegal immigration. (NNT)
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Bangkok-Pattaya Motorway toll fees waived for coming long weekend Sept 3-8
Tollways are
free of charge on Highway 7 and Highway 9 during the long holiday from Sept
3 to 8.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, said the free
service was set from Sept 3 to 8 that would be holidays in lieu of the
previously cancelled Songkran holiday.
Toll-free will be on Highway 7 (Bangkok-Pattaya
inter-city motorway) and Highway 9 also known as Kanchananaphisek Road on
its sections from Phra Pradaeng to Bang Khunthian and from Bang Pa-in to
Bangphli.
The Highways Department waives tolls on the highways to
help people cut their cost of living.
The minister also ordered the department to facilitate
traffic flows during the four-day holiday. (TNA)
Philippine women and French children reported new Covid-19 cases in Thailand quarantine
Thailand has
tightened border control to prevent illegal immigration following reports
that some people, who live in the community, entered the country through
natural border passes and fell ill.
Thailand on Tuesday logged five new imported cases of
Covid-19, raising the total confirmed cases to 3,417.
All of the new infections were foreigners, found
infected with coronavirus in state quarantine.
Three cases were Philippine women aged between 26-37
years old. Two other cases were French nationals, a three-year-old French
boy and a 15-year-old girl.
Of that number, 3,274 cases have recovered. The death
toll remained at 58 and 85 patients are being treated in hospitals.
As the country has tightened border control to prevent
illegal immigration, a school in Kanchanaburi, bordering Myanmar has closed
for three days for disinfection following reports that some people, who live
in the community, entered the country through natural border passes and fell
ill.
The Baan KuiYae School announced to close from Sept 1-3
as three students live in the same neighborhood with two persons, who
returned from Myanmar and had high fever.
The two patients were sent to Thong PhaPhum Hospital
for the coronavirus testing. Three students have been under self-quarantine
for 14 days for observation.
The school and local authorities took precautionary
measures to disinfect school buildings and premises before it reopens on
Thursday. (TNA)
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Fishing operators demand Thai Government to buy their boats
Fishing boat owners
in the southern province of Songkhla province have demanded the government
to buy their fishing vessels.
Over 2,000 commercial fishing
operators are selling their fishing vessels to the government after they
have been affected by a myriad of regulations imposed to solve illegal,
unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing.
Fishing boat owners such as those in the southern
province of Songkhla province have demanded the government to buy their
fishing vessels.
Pinyo Pinijsathira, a Songkhla fisherman, said he had
stopped fishing for three years because of tough fishing regulations and now
decided to quit his 30-year career.
There are reportedly some 2,505 vessels claimed to have
been affected by the anti-IUU policies. The government has, meanwhile,
pledged to buy hundreds of trawlers from companies and to relax several
fishing regulations, according to a government spokesperson.
The current administration has introduced several
fishing regulations since the European Union gave Thailand a “yellow card”
status over IUU fishing issues in 2015. Claiming the rules have hurt the
fishing industry, the National Fisheries Association of Thailand (NFAT) has
threatened to stage a mass protest in Bangkok to pressure the government to
ease the regulations.(TNA)
There are
reportedly some 2,505 vessels claimed to have been affected by the anti-IUU
policies.
The current
administration has introduced several fishing regulations since the European
Union gave Thailand a “yellow card” status over IUU fishing issues in 2015.
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Israel exempts Thai travelers from quarantine upon arrival
Natapanu
Nopakun, deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Israel has included Thailand in the list of “green
countries”, which exempts Thai travelers from being quarantined upon
arrival.
Thai embassy in Tel Aviv reported the announcement of
the Israeli government that added Thailand and eight other countries on the
list of green countries on Aug 31, said Natapanu Nopakun, deputy spokesman
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It means that Thai workers in the farming sector and
foreigners, arriving from Thailand are exempted from 14-day quarantine, the
deputy spokesman said.
Other travelers, who stay in the green countries 14
days prior to their trips to Israel are also allowed to skip mandatory
quarantine.
Israel put 21 countries on the list two weeks ago. The
inclusion makes 30 countries on the list in total.
Australian, Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, Denmark and
England are among 30 green countries.
Meanwhile, 187 countries were classified as a red zone.
Travelers from the red zone are subject to self-quarantine requirement. (TNA)
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Two schools in Hua Hin, south of Thailand, closed to prevent Covid-19
Panlop
Singhaseni, Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial Governor.
Two schools in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin has
temporarily closed for one week after parents of the students allegedly
crossed the border through natural border passes without going through
disease control procedures.
Some students did not attend classes as they had fever,
said Panlop Singhaseni, provincial governor.
Although, they had fell ill before their family members
returned from Myanmar through natural border crossings on Aug 26, local
authorities have stepped up precautionary measures due to reports of new
infections on the Myanmar side.
Local public health officials have rapidly conducted
disease investigation in Huai Satyai
ห้วยสัตว์ใหญ่ sub-district, where schools are located.
Both schools, accommodating Thai, Myanmar and ethnic
Karen students have suspended classes from Sept 1-7.
Health officials will collect samples of suspected
Covid-19 cases for the testing and are investigating allegedly illegal
immigration. (TNA)
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Mad Mi silk weaving community enterprise in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand
Deputy
Minister of Labor Narumon Pinyosinwat (right), visited a Mad Mi silk weaving
community enterprise at Ban Hua Fai village in Khon Kaen province
A Deputy Minister of Labor has visited a traditional
textile producing community enterprise in Khon Kaen, where weaving is
promoted as an occupation ensuring equality and a better livelihood.
Deputy Minister of Labor Narumon Pinyosinwat, visited a
Mad Mi silk weaving community enterprise at Ban Hua Fai village in Khon Kaen
province, where women from Por Daeng subdistrict have invested in the local
production of traditional Mad Mi silk.
The community enterprise has received support from
government agencies and private firms in their operations, and has
established a partnership with a network of silk farmers in the community,
and at other locations online. This partnership has helped the community
enterprise gain a good reputation for its quality products.
The Deputy Labor Minister stressed that an objective of
the Ministry of Labor is to promote equal protection and rights for female
workers without any discrimination, and the goal is to help improve their
livelihood and security, while promoting the role of women in workplaces and
equal treatment, which are key principals of national development. (NNT)
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‘Knot’ the only white rhino at Songkhla Zoo, southern Thailand
‘Knot’ the
name of this white rhino that is becoming a highlight of Songkhla Zoo,
southern Thailand.
Everyone is invited to enjoy the cuteness of a white
rhino, which is tame and likes to be close to people, at Songkhla zoo.
‘Knot’ is the name of this white rhino. It is becoming
a highlight of Songkhla Zoo. Visitors are able to feed and touch it closely.
Knot has been well-raised and it is familiar with humans.
White rhinos are the largest land mammal, after
elephants. They are found in southern Africa. The white rhino population has
greatly reduced, like other rhino species. Their average life expectancy is
about 46 - 50 years. The length from head to tail is 3-5 meters. They weigh
2-3 tons.
In Thailand, people can see three white rhinos at Khao
Kheaw Open Zoo, one at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, two at KhonKaen Zoo and one
‘Knot’ at Songkhla Zoo. (NNT)
Thailand relaxes land and building tax payment period
Many local
administrative organizations as well as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
are considering extending the deadline for the payment of the land and
building tax.
The Ministry of Finance and the Department of Local
Administration have provided an explanation of the law on land and building
taxation, which has caused many issues recently as it came into effect this
year.
Mr Prayoon Rattanaseni, Director-General of the
Department of Local Administration (DLA), explained this week that where it
is the case that the DLA has not sent an assessment notification to the
taxpayer, it is considered the taxpayer has no burden to pay tax under the
law. Local administrators can extend the due date of tax payments by
residents beyond August, but this has to be done before August 31. Taxpayers
can ask local administrators to extend the time available for tax payments
on a case-by-case basis without having to pay a fine, but have to pay an
additional 0.5 percent per month. If the taxpayer receives a tax assessment
notification from the local administrative organization late, such as being
notified later than August, the taxpayer can submit an objection to the
assessment of the local administrators within 30 days of the date of receipt
of the assessment notification. If the tax due is above 3,000 baht, the
taxpayer can apply to pay tax installments every three months from the due
date of the tax payment, paying the same amount of tax each month.
Mr. Lavaron Saengsanit, Director-General of the Fiscal
Policy Office, Ministry of Finance, explained that should a member of the
public not receive a tax assessment notification, or the deadline for tax
payment is extended or postponed, they will not have to pay a fine or
surcharges. Some local administrative organizations have now extended the
tax deadlinebeyond the end of August. Meanwhile, many local administrative
organizations as well as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are considering
extending the deadline for the payment of the tax. (NNT)
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Thailand to include ‘Marijuana Extract’ in national health welfare
Public
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to
include marijuana extract in the National List of Essential Medicines to cut
the expenses of patients and increase their access to medicine.
In a workshop on hemp-based health products at the
IMPACT Exhibition Center in Nonthaburi, Mr Anutin said extract from
marijuana and hemp was internationally recognized for having medical
benefits so the government planned to allow people to grow the plants for
medical and industrial purposes.
The idea would increase people’s income but its
implementation must be carefully planned to prevent negative impacts on
society, he said.
Permission for people’s cultivation of marijuana was a
part of amendments to the Narcotic Act and the Council of State was
scrutinizing them.
Mr Anutin said the legal amendment would allow each
person to grow more than six marijuana plants and he discussed with the
National Health Security Office the inclusion of marijuana extract in the
National List of Essential Medicines to reduce people’s costs of health care
and provide them with more choices of treatment. (TNA)
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Thailand continues helping fishing sector and open to suggestions
Thai
government is ready to consider the demands and find solutions for the
fishing sector due to measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)
fishing.
Since the National Fisheries Association of Thailand
asked the government to help address challenges faced by workers in the
fishing sector due to measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)
fishing, the government says that it is ready to consider their demands and
find solutions to their problems.
The Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Dr. Ratchada
Thanadirek, said today the government is aware of their plight and has
already taken action in many areas, such as making some changes to the rules
and regulations, purchasing trawlers from affected owners and improving
their liquidity.
The National Fisheries Policy Committee, chaired by the
Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, is overseeing the tasks of
related ministries and sending progress reports to Prime Minister and
Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha. The issue has been declared part
of the national agenda, and relevant agencies must work cautiously so that
Thailand is not given a yellow-card sanction by the European Union (EU). At
the same time, they have to acknowledge the workers’ demands.
The Department of Fisheries has adjusted the rules and
regulations to help the fishing sector in many respects, including making
changes to the list of fishing gear and fishing zones as well as the
issuance of seamen’s registration books to deal with labor shortages.
Deputy
Government Spokeswoman, Dr. Ratchada Thanadirek.
The government is now improving its vessel monitoring
system (VMS) to facilitate the fishing sector. The government is also
looking into amending laws related to local and commercial fishing
activities, but it must proceed cautiously.
Unregistered trawler procurement is divided into two
groups. The first group comprises 568 trawlers that have been adversely
affected by changes in the fishing laws. The government has already
allocated funds for the purchase of 252 trawlers, and will purchase 53
additional trawlers this October. The total acquisition budget is 764
million baht. Officials are also inspecting the criteria of 263 trawlers.
The second group consists of 2,505 trawlers, which previously received a
license which their owners now want to cancel. Officials are considering
these trawlers’ criteria and working conditions.
In addition, the government has approved a low-interest
loan project, worth 10.3 billion baht in total, to improve the liquidity of
entrepreneurs in the fishing sector. The loans would help them install new
equipment and employ workers legally. If local and commercial fishing
operators see that their issues remain unresolved and think no progress is
being made, the Prime Minister is ready to listen to their suggestions to
help solve their problems. (NNT)
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Travel promotions for expats in Thailand
Joins with leading travel
associations, golf courses, airlines, spas, and restaurants, as well as an
online payment platform to offer deals for expatriate residents in Thailand,
the ‘Expat Travel Deal 2020’.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing
the ‘Expat Travel Deal 2020’ to offer domestic tourism promotions for
expatriate residents to encourage them to travel more domestically, and
enjoy Thailand’s many attractions.
The event will take place from 11 to 13 September,
2020, from 10.00 to 22.00 Hrs. at the Quartier Gallery, Em Quartier shopping
mall in Bangkok. The event is free for interested persons.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT, said, “Thailand
has a large expatriate population many of whom have strong links with the
kingdom and who express great love for Thailand and its people. TAT and our
strategic partners would like to encourage expats to travel further afield
and to discover some of the Amazing Thailand experiences that can be enjoyed
in every corner of the country.”
As of June, 2020, there are a total of 2,459,785
foreigners with permission to work in Thailand, according to the Department
of Employment, Ministry of Labour. The total includes 155,193 skilled
employees (investors, experts, skilled craftsman, and BOI) and 25,110
foreign students.
The Expat Travel Deal 2020 will showcase travel
products and services from all five regions (North, Central, South, East and
Northeast), demonstrations of local arts and crafts making skills, such as,
ceramic bead bracelets and Thai reed mats, as well as tourism-related talk
sessions. Some of the topics include ‘Travelling in Thailand During the
COVID Era’ by Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for
International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific) and ‘The New Era of
Elephant Care Tourism’ by Mr. Theerapat Trungprakan from Thai Elephant
Alliance Association.
Travel agencies from each region will be on hand with
customised travel packages at discounted rates. Expat attendees will be
asked to present their passports to be eligible for special deals at the
event.
Some of the participating businesses at the Expat
Travel Deal 2020 will include Michelin-starred restaurants, including Ledu
and Blue Elephant; Divana, and the Oasis and Let’s Relax spas; Bangkok
Airways, Thai Smile, and AirAsia plus various Thai travel associations, golf
courses and the Alipay online platform.
TAT will also be rolling out a number of other
promotional activities, including joint promotions with Alipay,
Thailand-based travel companies, and the airlines.
Moreover, these will be promoted alongside publicity
events, including familiarisation trips for members of the foreign media and
representatives of foreign travel companies in Thailand. Other forms of
publicity include content marketing with online and offline publications for
expats in Thailand, focussing on businesses that are certified with the
Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) standard.
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Thailand to launch guidelines for concerts as Covid-19 subsides
The committee on
Administration of the House of Representatives will call a meeting with the
Ministry of the Interior and related units to set guidelines for the staging
of concerts. (File Photo)
Artists and other people working in the entertainment
industry have submitted a petition to the government, asking for guidelines
on organizing concerts, when the COVID-19 situation subsides.
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Administration
of the House of Representatives, AreeKrainara, received the petition from
the Entertainment Network Confederation of Thailand, led by Kathawut
Thongthai, also known as Khai Maleehuana. Suda Chuenban asked the committee
to invite the Ministry of the Interior to a meeting to discuss guidelines to
apply to organizing concerts nationwide.
The guidelines will help organizers maintain the same
standards at every concert after COVID-19. The Center for COVID-19 Situation
Administration (CCSA) has allowed the resumption of business and activities,
including concerts, pubs and bars, to help stimulate the economy.
Mr. Kathawut said the committee will call a meeting
with the Ministry of the Interior and related units to set guidelines for
the staging of concerts, for the information of provincial governors
nationwide. They will bring back confidence to those involved. The
organizers have strictly followed measures set by the CCSA and the Ministry
of the Interior, but in practice, many aspects are still up to the
provincial governors’ discretion. The confederation would like the different
sides to establish guidelines for everyone involved to follow. (NNT)
The Deputy
Chairman of the Committee on Administration of the House of Representatives,
Aree Krainara, received the petition from the Entertainment Network
Confederation of Thailand.
Pattaya
Countdown ‘Happy New Year’ 2019. (File Photo)
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Buriram man jumped to death while being quarantined in Jomtien, Pattaya
The body was taken to Bang
Lamung hospital while police are investigating into the cause of his death.
Thai Prime Minister expressed condolence over the death
of a man, who jumped to death while being quarantined in Chonburi.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha extended
condolences to the family of Phon Prom-ngam, a Buriram native, who jumped
off a hotel building where he was quarantined on the second day of his
return from Israel, said Defense Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep
Tantawanich.
He died at the scene and his body was taken to Bang
Lamung hospital. The police are investigating into the cause of his death.
The 39-year-old man arrived in Thailand on Aug 25 and
travelled along with 167 others to the state quarantine at a hotel in
Jomtien, Pattaya.
The prime minister ordered local officials to follow
the legal procedure and disease control measures in handling the case and to
assist his relatives in sending his body to the hometown for a religious
ceremony, the ministry spokesman said. (TNA)
Defense
Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantawanich.
Prime
Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha.
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Thailand waits for manufacturing slots before it begins human trials
As the
vaccine production capacities of factories overseas are overwhelmed, local
researchers are waiting for production of vaccine candidates before they
could start the first phase of human trials.
Thailand is waiting for its manufacturing slots to
produce candidate vaccines for human trials, expected to begin by the end of
this year.
As the vaccine production capacities of factories
overseas are overwhelmed, local researchers are waiting for production of
vaccine candidates before they could start the first phase of human trials,
said Kiart Rakrungtham, director of the COVID-19 Vaccine Development Project
of the Vaccine Research Centre, Chulalongkorn University.
The country is on the right track to go ahead with
plans for local production, transfer of technology from overseas and it also
set aside a budget for the purchase of vaccines, he said after the Cabinet
approved 100 billion of budget on Tuesday for vaccine development and
preparation for technology transfer.
Globally, seven candidate vaccines are currently in the
process of human trials. One of them is likely to succeed by the beginning
of next year, he added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister,
Anutin Charnvirakul said that development of Covid-19 vaccine would make
more progress after the Cabinet allocated 400 million baht for Chulalongkorn
University for vaccine research and development works.
Another 600 million baht will be used for the planned
technology transfer in production of vaccine, being developed by the
University of Oxford and Astra Zeneca.
Thailand has no local transmission for about three
months. The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration today reported one
more Covid-19 case in state quarantine, raising the total cases to 3,403.
The new case arrived from India.
Of that number, 3,237 patients have recovered and the
death toll stood at 58. (TNA)
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Thai students can voice viewpoints with their school committees
In response to students’
demonstrations, the minister said expression was individuals’ right but any
opinions that caused division should be reviewed.
Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan said students
were welcomed to express their opinions through their organizations and
school committees until Sept 15.
In response to students’ demonstrations, the
minister said expression was individuals’ right but any opinions that caused
division should be reviewed.
Mr Nataphol said that he issued an urgent order to
organizations supervising schools and set the deadline on Sept 15 for
students to voice their standpoints and proposed solutions. He promised to
consider them.
“The Education Ministry assigned school directors to
gather opinions through their school committees and students’ councils.
Opinions of majority students will be prioritized. Practical opinions will
be chosen. Impractical ones will be raised for discussions with students. It
is two-way communications. We listen and then explain to students,” Mr
Nataphol said.
He denied the report that some schools cancelled
scholarships for demonstrating students. He said that the management of some
schools conducted activities to create understanding with students. (TNA)
Education
Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan.
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Thai PM and his ministers begin mobile cabinet trip to Rayong and U-Tapao Airport
Prime Minister and the
cabinet ministers departed from the Military Air Terminal 2 at Don Mueang
International Airport in Bangkok at noon, and arrived at the Royal Thai
Naval Air Division in Rayong (Aug 24).
The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut
Chan-o-cha, together with his cabinet, arrived in Rayong province on Monday
(Aug 24) for a mobile cabinet meeting and to follow up on different
government projects.
The cabinet ministers departed from the Military Air
Terminal 2 at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok at noon, and
arrived at the Royal Thai Naval Air Division in Rayong. The Prime Minister
visited U-Tapao Airport’s emergency operations center for COVID-19 response
in Ban Chang district, and inspected the passenger screening process. He
then presided over a ceremony to open Motorway 7, which connects Pattaya and
Map Ta Phut.
The Prime Minister met with members of the public and
entrepreneurs at Roi Sao market in Muang Rayong district, before meeting
with local people and representatives from the tourism industry. He followed
up on the work of Pracharath Rak Samakkee Rayong (Social Enterprise) Company
Limited, and checked out community products and the way of life of local
fishermen in Suan Son - Klaeng village. He then released female flower crabs
into the sea.
The cabinet ministers followed up on their respective
work, such as water management, the Eastern Economic Corridor’s (EEC)
infrastructure development project, green industry promotion, agricultural
and human resource development.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister will chair a meeting on
economic and social development in the eastern region and the mobile cabinet
at the Star Convention Hotel. The venue will be used to support private
sector service businesses.
During the mobile cabinet meeting, Rayong province will
propose a number of important projects. They include a project to improve
water management efficiency in the EEC, an extension of the Motorway,
linking U-Tapao checkpoint and U-Tapao Airport, a high-speed train extension
to Rayong train station, a mass transit system development to support the
EEC and the Pluak Daeng Development and Service Center by royal initiative.
(NNT)
Prime
Minister visited U-Tapao Airport’s emergency operations center for COVID-19
response in Ban Chang district, and inspected the passenger screening
process.
Prime
Minister met with members of the public and entrepreneurs at Roi Sao market
in Muang Rayong district, before meeting with local people and
representatives from the tourism industry.
Rayong
residents welcomed the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministries upon their
arrival at the U-Tapao Airport.
Prime
Minister checked out community products and the way of life of local
fishermen in Suan Son - Klaeng village.
Prime Minister inspected
the passenger screening process at the U-Tapao Airport.
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Two new cases of Covid-19 reported in Thailand
The two new
infections comprise one male student, who returned from India on Aug 8 and a
Qatari man, 71, who arrived in Thailand on Aug 22.
Thailand recorded two new cases of Covid-19 in state
quarantine, raising the total cases to 3,397, said the Centre for Covid-19
Situation Administration (CCSA).
Of that number, 3,222 patients have recovered and the
death toll remained at 58.
The two new infections comprise one male student, who
returned from India on Aug 8. He was quarantined in Bangkok and found
infected with coronavirus in the third test on Aug 21.
The other case is a Qatari man, 71, who arrived in
Thailand on Aug 22. He entered the Alternative Hospital Quarantine at a
private hospital in Bangkok and tested positive to coronavirus on the first
day of his arrival. (TNA)
Royal Thai Navy declares country needs submarine
Royal Thai
Navy discloses that the country needed enough resources to protect its
sovereignty and maritime routes in the event of a maritime territorial
dispute or clash in the South China Sea.
The Royal Thai Navy defended its project to procure a
submarine, saying it was vital for national defense.
Navy chief-of-staff Adm Sitthiporn Matkasem said the
navy was procuring a submarine in accordance with its national defense
strategy and incomplete information about the procurement project might be
politically motivated.
VAdm Thaloengsak Sirisawat, director-general of the
Navy Operations Department, said the country needed enough resources to
protect its sovereignty and maritime routes in the event of a maritime
territorial dispute or clash in the South China Sea.
The submarine would be delivered in six years, its cost
of 22.50 billion baht was 0.093% of the total value of the Thai maritime
interest and its installment next year amounted to only 3 billion baht, he
said.
VAdm Prachachart Sirisawat, deputy navy chief-of-staff
and navy spokesman, dismissed the report that the submarine procurement was
not a government-to-government contract.
The misinformation from a House representative caused
damage to the navy and payment for the procurement was divided into
seven-year-long installments. The navy would not pay one lump sum for the
new submarine, he said. (TNA)
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Heavy floods continue in Nan, northern Thailand
Floodwater was the deepest in Wiang Sa district where
about 1,000 houses were inundated and flood levels reached the second floor
of some houses.
Flooding is still critical in the northern province of
Nan as the Nan River was overflowing in PhuPhiang district this morning.
The flood level on Ban Saeng Dao-ThaLor Road was about
1.30 meters deep and it became completely impassable to small vehicles.
Soldiers and disaster mitigation officials deployed
military trucks and flat boats to help commuters and send people to buy
products for their daily consumption.
Soldiers and disaster mitigation officials deployed military trucks and flat
boats to help commuters and send people to buy products for their daily
consumption.
Floodwater was the deepest in WiangSa district. About
1,000 houses were inundated and flood levels reached the second floor of
some houses. Local roads were impassable and local officials and soldiers
were handing out food and drinking water and evacuating victims to safe
ground.
In Phrae province, the Yom River overflowed to many
areas in Muang and Sung Men districts. The irrigation chief of the Northern
Province warned people to move their belongings to higher ground as water in
the Yom River was rising fast.
The chief said that if heavy rain continued in the
North, flooding could be as great as what had happened in 1995. (TNA)
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TAT teams up with Shopee to support ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Sale’
Promotion
gives Shopee users a chance to win a car and various other exciting prizes
until 9 September.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Shopee, the
leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, are teaming up to
support this year’s Amazing Thailand Grand Sale and boost tourism spending.
Shopee users stand to win a car and various exciting
prizes when spending 5,000 Baht on Shopee Mall from now until 9 September,
2020.
Winners will be announced on 17 September via Facebook
and on the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2020 website.
The partnership is one part of Shopee’s innovative ‘9.9
Super Shopping Day’ that has taken on greater significance, as Thailand
steps up its recovery efforts while adapting to the ‘new normal’
post-COVID-19.
In 2020, Shopee has ramped up offerings for its
integrated mobile wallet AirPay and partnered leading providers for smooth
and secure transactions. These have generated robust growth in Thailand for
the use of digital payments among users, brands, and sellers on Shopee.
Shopee Free Prizes lets users tune in to special
streams direct from various provinces in Thailand.
Shopee will give away 999 Shopee coins and various
prizes to lucky users daily with more special prizes, including gold
necklaces to be won on 9 September. Visit
https://shopee.co.th/m/shopee-live for more information.
On 9 September, Shopee will bring happiness to Thai
homes with the 9.9 Super Game Show Win 9 Million Baht at 18.00 Hrs. on
Channel 7 HD featuring the hottest stars, such as, Min-Pechaya and Mike-Pattaradet.
Users can tune in to win prizes worth 9 million Baht in total.
Find out more about the 9.9 Super Shopping Day on
https://shopee.co.th/9-9.
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The Expat Golf Societies Tournament tees up golf offerings in Rayong
The Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) is inviting Thai and expat golfers to join “The Expat Golf
Societies Tournament” on Sunday, 30 August, 2020, at Rayong Green Valley
Country Club.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting
Thai and expat golfers to join “The Expat Golf Societies Tournament” on
Sunday, 30 August, 2020, at Rayong Green Valley Country Club in Ban Chang
District, Rayong province.
The Tournament is available at 1,600 Baht for
non-members and 1,400 Baht for members. The special privileges include green
fee, caddy, cart, lunch, and more. Golfers also stand a chance to win 24
green fee vouchers plus novelty prizes.
For more information, contact the Rayong Green Valley
Country Club at +66 (0) 38-030660 and 081-940-8181.
TAT partners with Mastercard, UTU to boost domestic travel revenue in Thailand
Three-way
partnership supports Amazing Thailand Grand Sale and boosts spend at local
businesses.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with
Mastercard and borderless rewards app UTU, are partnering to drive domestic
tourism spending during this year’s Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, the
country’s leading shopping money spinner that is expected to generate 100
million Baht in revenue for local businesses.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “This
partnership with both UTU and Mastercard adds additional layers of
incentives and convenience for both shoppers and holidaymakers alike, and
we’re pleased to be partnering with them to build out an initiative that’s
set to provide benefits on multiple fronts and support our local businesses.
“With COVID-19 continuing to impact tourism in
Thailand, we created a new kind of experience this year that caters
specifically to residents to enjoy a broad spectrum of holiday and leisure
activities, while also giving much needed support to tourism operators.”
In 2020, the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale has been
strategically re-positioned to encourage local and expatriate residents to
spend more, with discounts and benefits offered at over 10,000 retailers,
restaurants, leisure venues and accommodation providers across the country.
Through the tripartite partnership, Mastercard
cardholders can enjoy instant cashback by shopping at participating
merchants using their registered Mastercard credit card on the UTU rewards
app.
Ms. Aileen Chew, Mastercard Country Manager for
Thailand and Myanmar, said, “Mastercard is excited to again collaborate with
TAT and UTU on an initiative that will no doubt boost thousands of local
Thai businesses across the country. As a leader in digital payments,
Mastercard has integrated with the UTU app to bring safe contactless
payments options at multiple transactions points and simultaneously reward
cardholders for choosing cashless by supporting local sellers and
retailers.”
To further support TAT’s strategy of reimagining the
Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, Mastercard has specially curated a variety of
discount programmes for all Mastercard cardholders.
One of the discount highlights is Mastercard’s “Pay Now
Travel Later” programme whereby cardholders can enjoy special discounts and
benefits at over 1,000 local hotels in Thailand. This programme allows
guests to avail discounts of up 40 percent off their reservation or receive
an additional night’s stay free of charge.
Mastercard World and World Elite cardholders can also
enjoy 50 percent off or complimentary green fees at 13 premium golf courses
in Thailand.
In addition, Mastercard will feature discounts on other
relevant essential services; such as, online health provider Doctor Anywhere
that can offer special rates for general practitioner video consultations
and COVID-19 medical advice, while AXA will give consumers a 12 percent
rebate on all motor insurance packages.
Ms. Nicky Surangkhana Surapaitoon, Country Manager, UTU
Thailand, said that partnering with Mastercard as the preferred payments
partner for Amazing Thailand Grand Sale was highly effective.
“Mastercard takes a similar approach around customer
centricity, which is aligned with TAT’s and UTU’s objective, and strives to
make each shopping experience rewarding. Together, we aim to connect the
shops to shoppers, and with our unique rewards platform, Mastercard holders
can enjoy an additional cashback bonus of up to 10% on all Amazing Thailand
Grand Sale purchases.”
TAT has been a long-standing partner of UTU, supporting
its objectives to boost the Thai economy and travel spend. UTU’s partnership
with TAT has now extended to bring likeminded partner in Mastercard to
support this year’s Amazing Thailand Grand Sale.
To learn more about the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale
2020, including participating merchants and terms and conditions, and Thai
football superstar and Mastercard’s first Thai brand ambassador, Chanathip
“Messi Jay” Songkrasin visit the
Amazing Thailand Grand Sale website.
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Thailand ‘State of Emergency’ extended, sports spectators welcomed
The Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration spokesman,Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
resolved to extend the state of emergency for another month and allowed
people to watch sports at their venues as long as safety measures are
observed.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the state
of emergency were extended from Sept 1 to 30 as proposed by the National
Security Council and the decision would be proposed to the cabinet for
approval.
“It is necessary to have legal authority to prevent and
solve problems efficiently so that the crisis will be handled swiftly,
harmoniously and effectively after high-risk business and activities were
allowed to resume including full-scale services at all schools and
educational institutions,” he said.
People were a main risk factor so it was important to
control the arrivals and departures of people including migrant workers in
order to curb the disease. The imposition of the executive decree on public
administration in emergency situations would not affect the everyday life of
people and businesses could operate as usual, Dr Taweesin said.
CCSA also permitted spectators at sports competitions
and passenger buses and boats can fully use their capacities.
“However, the numbers of spectators must be reduced to
prevent congestion. Conventional crowds at boxing stadiums will not happen.
The numbers of spectators will be controlled in accordance with the types of
sports and the natures of their spectators. For football matches where
people will be shouting, the number of spectators will be limited at 25% of
the capacity of their stadiums,” Dr Taweesin said. (TNA)
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Toll fees waived on long weekend for Bangkok-Pattaya motorway
Motorists
can use some tollways free of charge during the long holiday from Sept 4 to
7.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, said the free
service was set from Sept 4 to 7 that would be holidays in lieu of the
previously cancelled Songkran holiday.
The free service will be on Highway 7 (Bangkok-Pattaya
inter-city motorway) and Highway 9 also known as Kanchananaphisek Road on
its sections from Phra Pradaeng to Bang Khunthian and from Bang Pa-in to
Bangphli.
The Highways Department waives tolls on the highways to
help people cut their cost of living.
The minister also ordered the department to facilitate
traffic flows during the four-day holiday, Mrs Suksomruay said. (TNA)
No new COVID-19 cases reported in Thailand
The Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration reported that there was no new case of
infection among local people or quarantined people.
There was no new case of coronavirus disease 2019
infection on Saturday and the total cases stood unchanged at 3,390.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
reported that there was no new case of infection among local people or
quarantined people.
The total cases of 3,390 comprised 2,444 people
contracting the disease locally and 453 patients detected in their
quarantine facilities. One patient recovered over the past 24 hours and
raised the number of recovery cases to 3,220, forming 94.99% of the total
cases.
Meanwhile, 112 patients remained at hospitals. There
was no new death from COVID-19 and the death toll remained unchanged at
58. (TNA)
Hospital collects patients’ blood samples at home in Bangkok
The Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration (BMA) Ratchaphiphat Hospital collects blood samples of its
bedridden patients at home to help them cut their travel costs and reduce
congestion and disease transmission risks at the hospital.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) started
its services to collect blood samples of patients at their homes, provide
online examinations and send medicines by mail.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang wrote in his Facebook
page that BMA’s Ratchaphiphat Hospital started to collect blood samples of
its bedridden patients at home to help them cut their travel costs and
reduce congestion and disease transmission risks at the hospital.
Besides, BMA has developed its telemedicine system that
offers online examinations and medicine delivery services by mail. The
system is operated with the Mor BMA application. All hospitals of the BMA
have used the telemedicine system and will seek consent from patients before
providing them with the online services.
The online system targets patients with
non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental and skin problems, tuberculosis as
well as bedridden patients. The Bangkok governor wrote that the BMA expected
the system to initially serve 5% or 22,822 of 456,447 patients of the
categories. (TNA)
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Betong airport in Yala, southern Thailand, to open late this year
Thai government plans to
open Betong airport in Yala province by the end of this year and it would
stimulate local economy, and increase the number of visitors from 600,000 to
1 million a year.
The government is actively developing southern border
provinces and plans to open Betong airport in Yala province by the end of
this year.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said
the government endorsed many large-scaled projects for the development of
the far South and their implementation was making good progress.
Miss Rachada said the government planned to open it by
the end of this year and it would stimulate local economy because it would
increase the number of visitors from 600,000 to 1 million a year.
Tourism-related income would then exceed 4 billion baht annually.
She cited an 817.89-million-baht project to improve
nine border checkpoints adjacent to the Malaysian border to facilitate
Thai-Malaysian border trade. The project implementation was set to begin in
fiscal 2021.
Another project deals with campaigns for the
development of community forests and land use improvement. Trees with
economic value will be planted and the government expects 250,000 families
to participate in the project. (TNA)
Deputy
Government spokeswoman,Rachada Dhnadirek.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
23-8-20-1.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in
Thailand as of 22 August 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
23-8-20-2.jpg)
Thai Prime Minister trip to Chonburi and eastern provinces on economic, tourism push
The prime minister would
visit a COVID-19 situation administration center at U-Tapao airport and open
the Pattaya-Map Ta Phut section of inter-city Highway 7.
The new cabinet of the Prayut Chan-o-cha government
will have its first upcountry meeting in the eastern province of Rayong late
this month, the government spokesman said.
The newly appointed government spokesman Anucha
Burapachaisri said that the trip was scheduled for Aug 24 and 25.
In the morning of Aug 24 Prime Minister Prayut will
have a video conference on Mekong-Ayeyawady cooperation with leaders of
China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The conference will last about
two hours.
There will also be a meeting of water-related ministers
to exchange information about water consumption in each country and a
meeting on COVID-19 vaccine development.
The government spokesman said that afterwards the prime
minister would visit a COVID-19 situation administration center at U-Tapao
airport and open the Pattaya-Map Ta Phut section of inter-city Highway 7. He
will also meet tourism-related operators in Rayong and visit a market in Ban
Phe and the Suan Son-Klaeng 1 fishing community.
In the evening the prime minister will inspect a road
along the Saengchan Suchada beach that is a part of the second-phase Chalerm
Burapa Cholathit road project.
On Aug 25 the prime minister will witness the
presentation of land right documents to communities in Rayong and
Chachoengsao provinces. Then he will chair a meeting on economic and social
development in Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong provinces.
Later cabinet ministers will have their meeting at Star
Convention Hotel in Rayong. The prime minister will then visit Chanthaburi
province to see the installation of rubber-coated concrete barriers to boost
safety on Highway 3249.
Afterwards, his delegation will return to Bangkok. The
prime minister will not meet local students for opinion exchange in this
trip due to his tight schedule. (TNA)
The newly appointed
government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
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Chonburi still in need of 10,000 Thai and migrant workers
Chonburi
province has 16,247 business venues, 756,599 employees and 97,751 people who
have filed unemployment claims due to the adverse effects of COVID-19.
The Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Labor,
Pol. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, has traveled to Chonburi province to
acknowledge the problems of employers and workers affected by the adverse
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pol. Gen. Adul, together with high-ranking officials of
the Ministry of Labor, met with the public and entrepreneurs, and listened
to their problems as a result of the pandemic. The officials acknowledged
different sectors’ handling of unemployment, skills development under the
new normal conditions and the work of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)
Labor Administration Center.
The officials visited Chonburi City Hall and King Pac
Industrial Company Limited in Muang Chonburi district. King Pac is a plastic
bag manufacturer with more than 2,500 employees, 55 percent of whom are
Thais and 45 percent are Cambodian workers. The company has a welfare system
for its workers, social security and workmen’s compensation funds, diligence
and meal allowances, and other welfare benefits. During the COVID-19
outbreak, the company hired more workers because of higher demand for
plastic products. In addition, the Ministry of Labor also supports
entrepreneurs in hiring local workers instead of foreign workers.
Chonburi province has 16,247 business venues, 756,599
employees and 97,751 people who have filed unemployment claims due to the
adverse effects of COVID-19. They have received 756 billion baht in
compensation. Seven businesses ceased their operations, affecting 4,523
workers. However, there are 10,237 positions available in the province.
The government is speeding up assistance to those who
are still unemployed, and developing workers’ skills in response to
entrepreneurs’ needs. (NNT)
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19 Thais return home after 5 months stranded in Laos
Thai workers arrived at the
border crossing in Ta Li district of Loei province, northeastern Thailand,
on Wednesday.
Nineteen Thai workers have
returned home after being stranded in Laos during COVID-19 lockdown for five
months.
The workers arrived at the border crossing in Ta Li
district of Loei province, northeastern Thailand, on Wednesday.
All of them passed health screening and were
transferred to a hotel for the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Security officers said the returnees were workers at
Xayaburi Dam, the hydroelectric dam on the Lower Mekong River in Laos.
One of them said since the COVID-19 outbreak began they
were unable to travel for five months due to lockdown and border closure. (TNA)
Thailand Disease Control Department investigating imported Covid-19 patient
Thailand has
not detected any local transmission for nearly three months and all new
cases, recently confirmed were imported in state quarantine.
Ramathibodi Hospital on Wednesday reported a new case
of coronavirus patient is being treated there as the Disease Control
Department is investigating the case.
Thailand has not detected any local transmission for
nearly three months and all new cases, recently confirmed were imported in
state quarantine.
After the rumour, shared on social media, Piyamitr
Sritara, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital confirmed
that the patient was infected with coronavirus while being treated at the
hospital’s Acute Respiratory Infection Clinic.
The initial investigation found that he had returned
from Dubai and earlier completed 14-day state quarantine.
Director of Epidemiology, Department of Disease
Control, Walairat Chaifu said the department is investigating the case to
find out where and how he contracted the disease. (TNA)
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Seven killed in Pattani clashes, Deep South of Thailand
Col
Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc)’s
Region 4 Forward Command.
Seven suspected insurgents
were killed separate clashes with government forces in the southern province
of Pattani over the weekend, said Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the
Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc)’s Region 4 Forward Command.
Three more bodies were found as officials cleared up
the areas after the clashes, bringing the total death toll to seven.
The spokesman said during the combined force roundup,
officials had tried to convince them to turn themselves in but to no avail.
In earlier clashes since Friday in Yarang district,
four suspected insurgents were killed and three officials were wounded.
The officials scoured to areas to arrest more suspects
on Sunday morning and discovered three more bodies at clash sites in the
paddy fields.
It is presumed that injured gunmen died later after
firefights while hiding in the flooded fields without food and drinking
water.
Officials continue to clear the seized insurgent
operation base, used for plotting attacks for more than six months.
Among seven deaths, three were identified and four
bodies are still being verified.
ISOC extended condolence to families of the dead people
and instructed Yarang district office to conduct survey on asset damage,
caused by the operations to offer rehabilitation to affected villagers. (TNA)
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Fresh round of Thailand southern peace negotiation made good start
Gen Wallop Raksanoh, chief of the Thai
negotiation team.
The first round of resumed southern peace negotiation
with insurgency representatives satisfactorily came up with mutual intention
for peaceful solutions and agreement on talk process, said Gen Wallop
Raksanoh, chief of the Thai negotiation team.
Gen Wallop said that the talk happened in Kuala Lumpur
on Jan 20. His team included representatives from the Justice Ministry, the
National Security Council, the Foreign Ministry, the National Intelligence
Agency and the Internal Security Operations Command. They met a delegation
of the Islamic independence movement Barisan Revolusi Nasional, led by Anas
Abdulrahman.
“The talk made a good start as a BRN leader led his
team to talk with us and we are confident that he is the real leader. People
in the group are not those who participated in previous talks,” Gen Wallop
said.
Participants in the talk showed mutual intention to
solve problems and restore peace in southern border provinces through
peaceful methods and also came up with mutually accepted negotiation
procedures, he said.
Gen Wallop also said that the Jan 20 talk did not
include a representative from the Mara Patani group.
“For the first round, we wanted to talk with the most
powerful group in the region, which is BRN. However, Thailand is open to
opinions from all groups. It is likely that subsequent negotiation will
occur with a specific group at a time,” he said.
He thanked Malaysia for facilitating the Jan 20
meeting. (TNA)
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Thailand free of local Covid infection for 83 days not guaranteed for second spread
Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai,
director-general of the
Disease Control Department.
Eighty-three days without local infection of the coronavirus disease 2019
does not guarantee that Thailand is free of the disease, said the
director-general of the Disease Control Department.
Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said that the
period without local infection had nothing to do with the risks of the
second spread that came from business lockdown easing and the arrivals of
Thai and foreign people including migrant workers.
The risks existed in other countries that faced the
second spread of COVID-19 after their long periods of no local infection. He
cited Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
Dr Suwannachai said officials did not intend to
maintain the zero local infection period but wanted to detect patients
quickly, efficiently treat them and limit the degree of the spread within
the capacities of public health resources.
The Public Health Ministry would keep the spread at the
extent which would allow the survival of the national economy, he said. (TNA)
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Fishermen appeal Thai Govt. fishing laws on migrant workers, aquatic imports control
Thai
fishermen were affected from issuing IUU
laws with severe punishment and labour shortage as most migrant
workers travelled home on the outset of the pandemic and have not returned to
work.
Commercial fishermen from 22 coastal provinces urged the government to keep
promise in helping them solve problems, which they believed stemmed from
stringent measures taken to counter Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)
fishing.
Representatives of the National Fisheries Association
of Thailand (NFAT) said that they were affected from issuing law with severe
punishment, said Mongkon Sukcharoenkhana, honorary adviser to NFAT.
They are also facing labour shortage as most migrant
workers travelled home on the outset of the pandemic and have not returned
to work.
The remaining workers, who stay in the country are not
adequate, he said. Fishing operators are ready to recruit unemployed Thai
workers but recruitment plan, discussed with agencies concerned did not make
any progress.
They also ask the authorities to increase fishing days
and control imports of aquatic animals that can be captured by local fishing
boats in the Thai sea.
The prime minister unofficially listened to their
problems and said the information he gained from the NFAT different from
reports of related agencies. The new information he learned was useful for
tackling the problem at its root, Mongkon said.
He called for urgent action to be taken by the
government.
Currently, all fisheries associations in 22 provinces
raised placards to sell their boats to the government as they cannot earn a
living from fishing anymore. (TNA)
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Lockdown easing boosts Thailand border trade
The value of border trade was improving over
the past two months after the government had eased its business lockdown
measures.
Lockdown easing relieves the contraction of border trade and its value is
likely to exceed 1 trillion baht this year, according to the Department of
Foreign Trade.
Keerati Rushchano, director-general of the department,
said the value of border trade including cargoes in transit in the first
half of this year amounted to 627.48 billion baht, down by 9.18% from the
same period last year.
The value consisted of exports worth 365.21 billion
baht, down by 8.60%, and imports worth 262.27 billion baht, down by 9.98%.
During the period, Thailand posted a border trade surplus of 102.93 billion
baht.
Keerati Rushchano, director-general of the
department.
Regarding border trade, Malaysia was the biggest
trading partner with the trade value of 109.40 billion baht, down by 26.81%,
followed by Laos with 92.28 billion baht (-7.09%), Myanmar 86.74 billion
baht (-13.65%), and Cambodia 82.02 billion baht (+2.27%).
Regarding trade in transit cargoes, China was the
biggest trading partner with the trade value of 109.89 billion baht in the
first half of 2020, up by 16%, followed by Singapore with 41.69 billion baht
(+13.70%) and Vietnam with 29.90 billion baht (-23.89%).
Mr Keerati said that the value of border trade was
improving over the past two months after the government had eased its
business lockdown measures.
He expected the border trade value throughout this year
to still exceed 1 trillion baht. Earlier his department had forecasted the
value at 1.5 trillion baht. (TNA)
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Substandard electrical appliances crack down on e-marketplaces in Bangkok
Wanchai
Phanomchai, Secretary-General of
Thai Industrial Standards
Institute (TISI).
Thai Industrial Standards
Institute (TISI) cracked down substandard electrical appliances sold on
online marketplaces, Lazada and Shopee and seized illegally imported goods
at warehouses in Bangkok and Samut Prakan.
Wanchai Phanomchai, Secretary-General of the TISI said
that last month, it strictly checked 123 items of restricted goods sold on
36 websites as these goods are related to the safety of consumers.
The random checks found imports of popular electrical
appliances without permission such as air fryer, refrigerators and
evaporative air coolers, sold on Lazada and Shopee.
Further investigation led to searches at warehouses in
Bangkok and Samut Prakan of two companies. Officials seized over 14,000
items of these products, worth about 30 million baht.
JTL Stock Holding Co., Ltd. and Growell Enterprise Co.,
Ltd were charged with importing restricted goods without permission, subject
to a maximum two-year jail term or/and a maximum fine of two million baht.
He said both e-commerce platform operators also face
six months in jail or/and a maximum fine of 500,000 baht for advertising
substandard goods. (TNA)
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Thailand new economic rehabilitation plan focuses on SMEs incentives
Finance
Minister Predee Daochai.
Energy Minister Supattanapong
Punmeechaow said a new economic rehabilitation plan would be completed
within this month and it would not focus on cash handouts.
Mr Supattanapong said the new package of economic
stimulus measures would not see noticeable cash handouts as before. There
might be cash handouts but the amount would be cut, he said.
A part of the package would reduce people’s
expenditure, he said.
Mr Supattanapong mentioned the prime minister’s
economic policies that focused on help for jobless people and small and
medium-sized enterprises, incentives for operators to keep their employees
and job creation for new graduates.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Predee Daochai said the
national economy should contract by 7.5% this year and slowly improve next
year.
Short-term economic challenges were declines in
tourists and exports, an increase in unemployed people to 745,000 who formed
2% of the total labor force, and limited money for economic stimulation, he
said.
His urgent policies included cost of living reduction
and employment for low income-earners, support for SMEs, acceleration of
government spending and improved collection of government revenue, Mr Predee
said. (TNA)
Energy Minister Supattanapong
Punmeechaow.
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Coronavirus controls at Thailand-Malaysia border crossing elevated
Travelers
coming in from Malaysia are subject to strict health screening after dozens
of new coronavirus cases were reported on Thursday in the Malaysian states
of Kedah and Perak on the border.
Thai authorities have
tightened up disease control measures at border crossing in the southern
province of Yala after Malaysia has recorded higher COVID-19 cases.
Public Health officers along with Betong Hospital staff
members and security officers have beefed up health checks at the Betong
border checkpoint.
Travelers coming in from Malaysia are subject to strict
health screening. All vehicles are screened and disinfected.
The move came after dozens of new coronavirus cases
were reported on Thursday in the Malaysian states of Kedah and Perak on the
Thailand-Malaysia border.
Health quarantine officers said Thai migrant workers at
restaurants and other services in Malaysia had continued to return to
Thailand.
All returnees are required to take 14-day quarantine
before returning home. (TNA)
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Japanese man found with COVID-19 after departing Thailand tested negative
Upon taking another test at
a hospital in Japan, using the RT-PCR method to find specific genetic
material in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the type of coronavirus causing COVID-19,
the Japanese’s result was negative.
A Japanese man who reportedly tested positive for
COVID-19, after travelling from Thailand to Japan, took a second verifying
test at a Japanese hospital, the result of which was negative, leaving the
possibility that his initial test may have produced a false positive.
Concerns have been raised again regarding COVID-19 in
Thailand after a Japanese man reportedly tested positive for the virus after
arriving back in Japan from Thailand.
A 47-year-old had his saliva collected for his COVID-19
test at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan on 8 August. The test,
intended to detect traces of coronavirus protein, returned a positive
result.
The man took another test at a hospital in Japan, using
the RT-PCR method to find specific genetic material in the SARS-CoV-2 virus,
the type of coronavirus causing COVID-19. The result was negative.
The Department of Disease Control Director General
Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai has asked the general public to remain
confident in Thailand’s robust measures to prevent COVID-19, which have been
continuously enforced.
He said strict disease control protocols are being
implemented at border crossings and airports to prevent imported cases,
while the general public should continue to practice precautionary measures,
despite the country reporting no locally transmitted cases for several
weeks.
The general public are encouraged to continue wearing
face masks, wash hands frequently and practice social distancing. They are
also urged to remain vigilant, and to make any inquiries regarding this
disease by calling the 1422 hotline. (NNT)
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Ranong seeks cross-border palm oil export point, clear fishing boundaries with Myanmar
The
commercial fishing vessel group wants to have clear boundaries or guidelines
to prevent the intrusion of fishing boats and other border problems with
Myanmar.
Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Commerce, chaired the meeting to follow up on the performance of
government officials in Ranong, as well as to look at the needs and problems
of the private sector there.
The Chairman of the Ranong Chamber of Commerce has
called for the addition of a cross-border palm oil export point in Ranong,
as there is currently only one checkpoint at Mae Sot Customs House in Tak.
He called on the meeting to consider establishing a Ranong Customs House, to
increase the value of border trade and create jobs for the locals. He also
called for a budget for organizing a project to lead the private and
government sectors of Ranong in attending business matching events to create
more opportunities for trade and new investments, as well as solutions to
land problems in Ranong’s main economic areas, which cover 83.2 hectares in
Phae Mai Thai Dan, by expediting the process of issuing documents for people
to rent the land plots.
The commercial fishing vessel group wants to have clear
boundaries or guidelines to prevent the intrusion of fishing boats and other
border problems with Myanmar. (NNT)
Minister of
Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in
Thailand as of 16 August 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
-17-8-20-2.jpg)
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