Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat Dec 23-25/National museums and parks offer free access Dec 30-Jan 2/Shopping discounts launched/Opinion: Uncertainty ahead for Thai economy/Thai innovation agency pinpoints trends that will shape the future/Seven high-potential product trends for next year/Naval Male Nurse Mysteriously Missing After Being Rescued/22 still missing as naval chiefs plan refloat of the Sukhothai/Top 4 Best Places to Work in Thailand for 2022 revealed/7 killed and 2 injured in floods in southern Thailand/Alcohol banned from festive gift baskets in Thailand/Edible insect industry gains momentum in Thailand/Reversal of cannabis legality prompts legislative walkout/New Year’s weed parties illegal/
Tourism: Number of flights will soar by 65% next year/Tourist app expanding: flight info, taxis, shopping and more/Tourism groups in South Korea sign deals with TAT/
Covid: Mask-less passenger told to get off bus after other passengers complain/China says no new Covid deaths after changing criteria/
International: Malaysia landslide toll hits 26/US to give $1.85B in new military aide, including Patriots, to Ukraine/Toyota Chief Says ‘Silent Majority’ Has Doubts About Pursuing Only EVs/Crypto at a crossroads after its horrible year/
Links: Airport schedule/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas

Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat Dec 23-25

The Prachuap Food Festival & Siam Powerboat 2022 event will be held Dec. 23-25 at the provincial office at Prachuap Bay.

The event will showcase a variety of local food and goods, as well as different water sports and powerboat competitions.

National museums and parks offer free access Dec 30-Jan 2

The Fine Arts Department is giving the public a New Year’s gift – free access to national museums and historical parks throughout the kingdom from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2.

This includes the exhibit of ancient gold ornaments from the Ayutthaya period at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum in Ayutthaya, which opens on Dec. 30, the department said.

In Bangkok, the exhibit of the auspicious Buddha image of the Front Palace (Phra Buddha Sihing) will open at the National Museum on Dec. 28, from 9am to 4pm daily. Nine other Buddha images will also be displayed in the exhibit, the department said. Continued …

Shopping discounts launched

The Commerce Ministry kicked off its “New Year Grand Sale” campaign yesterday via partnerships with the private sector and online platforms, offering steep discounts of up to 85%.

The campaign is scheduled to run from Dec. 22 to Jan 31, with as many as 46,100 branches of stores from 315 organizations, including retailers, manufacturers, online platforms, and service providers participating in the scheme.

The scheme is expected to help stimulate domestic spending by at least 12 billion baht. Continued …

Uncertainty ahead for Thai economy

The Thai economy will face many headwinds but also tailwinds next year, mainly from the global economy and geopolitical tensions. In 2022, the Thai economy slowly recovered from the Covid pandemic as lockdowns ended and the economy was reopened to international travel.

After contracting by more than 6% in 2020, Thailand’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.5% in 2021 and 3.2% in 2022.

Next year, the Thai economy is forecast to grow by 3.5%. The continued expansion will be fueled by the growth of household consumption, remittances from tourism, especially international travelers, growing exports, especially to China, as well as private investments, particularly the relocation of high-tech production from China to Thailand. Continued …

Thai innovation agency pinpoints trends that will shape the future

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) has identified seven trends that will shape the future in Thailand and around the globe, and give an edge to companies and countries that seize the opportunities they are creating.

Pan-Arj Chairatana, the agency’s executive director, said in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that the seven innovation trends were selected because they reflect current developments in the global economy.

The trends have a significant potential to drive the future and play a crucial role in people’s lives. They are: Continued …

Seven high-potential product trends for next year

Bangkokbiz, a news agency, on Wednesday identified seven product groups that it predicts will be trending next year. They are:

1. Products for the elderly

The market for the elderly will mainly focus on health products. This group has a lot of purchasing power from savings and pensions, while not having to spend as much as young adults.

Therefore, healthy foods and beverages, as well as products that increase convenience, such as ready-to-cook boiled rice, have huge potential. Continued …

Naval Male Nurse Mysteriously Missing After Being Rescued

Chief Petty Officer Khunakorn “Mor Champ” Jariyot had survived strong winds and high tides alongside other sailors after their navy corvette had capsized and sunk Sunday night. Yet, hours later the chief petty officer was nowhere to be found among those sailors who had been rescued to safety from the stormy sea in the Gulf of Thailand.

Khunakorn, the sole male nurse attached to HTMS 442 Sukhothai, which sank 19 nautical miles off Prachuap Khiri Khan, is currently reported one of 23 missing persons following the mishap, which has so far claimed six fatalities among a total of 106 crew members and marines.

Remarkably, Khunakorn had kept his big nursing bag with him, oblivious to the naval survival rule that calls for sailors to weigh as lightly as possible to struggle with high tides and stormy weather in the sea. Continued …

22 still missing as naval chiefs plan refloat of the Sukhothai

Thai naval chiefs continue to mount an expanding search-and-rescue mission seeking to locate 22 personnel still unaccounted for after the 35-year-old naval corvette HTMS Sukhothai capsized and sank on Sunday off Prachuap Khiri Khan. They also are exploring the possibility of salvaging and refloating the vessel with improved weather conditions expected. One more crew member was rescued on Wednesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, the Royal Thai Navy sent down an underwater submersible vehicle to examine the submerged HTMS corvette Sukhothai, which sank after it capsized approximately 25 km off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Sunday.

The naval vessel, built in the United States in 1987, had been carrying approximately 70 crew and 35 other naval and military personnel, including marines, when it left Sattahip Naval base in Chonburi on Saturday heading for Chumphon for a naval ceremony to celebrate the founder or “father” of the service Krom Luang Chumphon Khet-udomsak, whose birthday was Dec. 19, 1880. Continued …

Top 4 Best Places to Work in Thailand for 2022 revealed

Novo Nordisk, AIA, Jardine Schindler Thailand, LCIT have been recognized as the top four best places to work in Thailand for 2022, according to the annual prestigious “Best Places to Work” certification program.

Novo Nordisk Thailand was awarded the top position followed by AIA Thailand, an affiliate of the multinational insurance and finance corporation. Jardine Schindler Thailand, an affiliate of Jardine Schindler Group, a joint venture between Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong and Schindler Group located in Switzerland, between them bring over 300 years of experience in business management, regional specialization and engineering excellence. Laem Chabang International Terminal Co came in the fourth position.

Enrico Cañal Bruland, vice president and general manager for Novo Nordisk Thailand, said, “We place high importance on building and maintaining an atmosphere in which everyone feels heard, accepted and valued; being recognized as the best place to work for women additionally this year is a huge achievement, which is perfectly in line with our diversity and inclusion agenda.” Continued …

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7 killed and 2 injured in floods in southern Thailand

Seven people died and two more are injured as a result of floods in the southern provinces of Thailand. The water level has gradually decreased today.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that heavy rain and strong winds from Dec. 18 to 21 caused flash floods and landslides in nine provinces, including Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phattalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

A total of 205,775 households in the area were affected. From the latest update, two people were reported dead in Phattalung province, one died in Yala province, and four died in Narathiwat province. Two more people are reported to be injured. Continued …

Alcohol banned from festive gift baskets in Thailand

Pre-made gift baskets are a hit in Thailand for all special occasions and are especially popular around the Christmas and New Year holidays.

But the Ministry of Commerce would like to remind the country’s merchants that selling alcohol as part of a gift set is against the law in Thailand.

Anyone who fails to comply with the law will face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. Continued …

Edible insect industry gains momentum in Thailand

More than 1,900 insect species around the world are considered edible and consumed in countries in Central America, Asia, and Africa. Insects have long been grown for eating in Thailand and often served in street stalls.

Throughout the years, edible insect consumption has gained popularity in Thailand, even reaching fine-dining restaurants. More and more insect-based products are now being developed for human consumption, served in restaurants, sold in supermarkets, and offered as part of in-flight meals.

From canned edible insect food to dried packed snacks, tourists and locals alike can try a wide variety of insect-based products in Thailand. Continued …

Reversal of cannabis legality prompts legislative walkout

The passage of Thailand’s controversial Cannabis Bill is expected to be further delayed after the House meeting collapsed yesterday due to the lack of a quorum.

After the House approved the deletion of the contentious Section 3 from the bill, MPs from both government and opposition parties started to leave the chamber, as the House continued to deliberate the remaining sections of the bill. Section 3 stipulated that cannabis is not a narcotic drug.

After extensive debate on Section 7/4 of the bill, Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, who chaired the meeting, realized that there were fewer MPs in the chamber. He then pressed the buzzer to tell MPs to enter the chamber and to identify themselves, by inserting their electronic ID cards before a vote was to be taken on Section 7/4, regarding the promotion of research on the medical use of cannabis by the Food and Drug Administration. Continued …

New Year’s weed parties illegal

For those who were planning a more mellow New Year’s Eve celebration, lighting up a joint and saying goodbye to 2022, the government has a strong warning for you. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) cautioned cannabis vendors not to take part in or organize New Year’s Eve smoke parties.

The Ministry of Public Health says that their cannabis control rules and restrictions prohibit events centered around the herb and where smoking will occur. The director-general of the DTAM says that members of the public at large have voiced concerns over these drug parties taking place throughout Thailand. Continued …

Number of flights will soar by 65% next year

The state agency that manages the kingdom’s air traffic is upbeat about the outlook for the Thai aviation industry, saying the rebound in international and domestic travel continues to accelerate.

The number of flights will rise by 65% next year compared to this year, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co. (AeroThai).

AeroThai President Nopasit Chakpitak said the aviation industry in Thailand has been rebounding since the government eased its Covid-19 travel restrictions and fully re-opened the country. Continued …

Tourist app expanding: flight info, taxis, shopping and more

Airports in Thailand is hard at work souping up its travel app in hopes of making it an essential super-app for the incoming flood of tourists. Its “Sawasdee by AoT” app currently provides flight and airport information for people landing at six AoT-run airports. But they plan to add a host of tourism services, to aid the predicted 90 million passengers expected to pass through those airports next year.

The app will be available in Thai, English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, and Spanish. There is a Tourist Help section that can connect travelers to police in each of those languages except for Hindi and Spanish.

So far, 650,000 people have downloaded the app but the AoT is predicting that number will jump next year up to 1.5 million. They contend that if they develop the super app, its usefulness will push it to four million downloads by 2024. Continued …

Tourism groups in South Korea sign deals with TAT

To boost the tourism link with South Korea, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has just inked three new deals. By partnering with Korean Air, the Korea Association of Travel Agents, and SOOBAK, TAT hopes to increase visitors from the nation and strengthen the friendly relations between South Korea and Thailand.

The department’s governor, Yuttasak Supasorn, visited the South Korean capital city of Seoul and signed the deal on Monday to create a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of cooperation with each of the three Korean entities. He lauded the new deals as a boon to a Thai-Korean tourism campaign. Continued …

Mask-less passenger told to get off bus after other passengers complain

A video clip showed anger on a bus north of the Thai capital Bangkok in which a passenger was not wearing a mask.

It concerned what happened on Route #6250 from Rangsit to Klong 9.

Passengers complained to the conductress that a man was not wearing a mask. Continued …

China says no new Covid deaths after changing criteria

China said Wednesday that no one had died of Covid-19 the previous day, after changing the criteria such that most virus deaths are no longer counted, as the World Health Organization said it was “very concerned” about the new wave of cases.

Hospitals are struggling, pharmacy shelves have been stripped bare and many crematoriums are overwhelmed in the wake of the Chinese government’s sudden decision to lift years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing.

China had recorded a total of seven deaths – all in Beijing – since its decision to lift its zero-Covid policy, but removed one death from its official tally Wednesday. Continued …

Malaysia landslide toll hits 26

The death toll from a landslide at an unauthorized campsite in Malaysia rose to 26 after search and rescue teams on Wednesday found the body of a man in a tight embrace with his dog, officials said. Continued …

US to give $1.85B in new military aide, including Patriots, to Ukraine

The United States will provide $1.85 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine, including a transfer of the Patriot Air Defense System, President Joe Biden said on Wednesday. The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Washington to meet Biden and address Congress on his first known overseas trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago. Continued …

Toyota Chief Says ‘Silent Majority’ Has Doubts About Pursuing Only EVs

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda said he is among the auto industry’s silent majority in questioning whether electric vehicles should be pursued exclusively, comments that reflect a growing uneasiness about how quickly car companies can transition. Continued …