Wednesday’s news-July 10 -

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Thailand on track to upgrade third-class trains/82-Year-Old Woman Gives CPR to Electrician/Mobile users must verify SIM cards/Fish farm owner pulled into watery grave/Thailand Added To Human Rights Watchlist/Plan to raze Thai national park for farming/Island enforces plastic ban/Economy: Online service to aid foreign enterprises/Thai economy not good/Minister warns of low inflation/Thailand’s Infrastructure Investment Gap/Hong Kong company eyes land bridge investment/Thailand’s ‘integrated entertainment complexes/A ‘just’ energy transition/Constant Energy Signs Solar Power Deal/Price war among Bangkok office buildings/Honda to end vehicle production/Target Thai EV Market/Etix mulls second data center/ASEAN’s free trade successes/Cannabis Shop Owners Plead with Government/Anutin Furious Over Move to Reclassify Cannabis/Tourism: Chinese visitors give Thailand good ratings/Set higher revenue target/Asia’s wellness tourism hub/Thailand Experience: Ramayana takes to the stage/5 Favorite Hotels in Bangkok/Links: Climate Thailand/Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

Thailand on track to upgrade third-class trains with air-con and seats

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to improve the service and facilities of its third-class trains by spending 780 million baht on new seats and air conditioning. For the first phase, 130 third-class carriages will be equipped with air conditioning by next year.

Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote said the SRT is now seeking operators to carry out the improvements. The first batch of renovations will occur on 130 carriages out of the existing 400 and is expected to be finished by 2025. Continued …

82-Year-Old Woman Gives CPR to Electrician to Save Him from Electrocution

An 82-year-old Thai woman in Sattahip has become a social media hero after she used a rope to pull an electrician to safety from a potential electrocution and gave the man CPR to save his life.

The viral incident occurred on Monday at a house in the Plu Ta Luang subdistrict, Sattahip district, Chonburi province. Emergency responders received a report of an electrician suffering from an electrical shock and rushed to the scene. Continued …

Mobile users must verify SIM cards by tomorrow or face restrictions

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated that individuals possessing between six and 100 SIM cards must verify their identities at mobile operators’ service centers by tomorrow, July 11, or face restrictions on outgoing calls and text messages.

Out of a total of 3,981,251 SIM cards, 1,635,407 had their identities verified as of yesterday, leaving over 2.3 million cardholders to complete the verification process by the deadline. This initiative is part of the NBTC’s efforts to curb the use of mobile phones for criminal activities. Continued …

Fish farm owner pulled into watery grave – by a fish

A tragic incident occurred Monday when a fish farm owner drowned in her pond in Chanthaburi after being pulled in by a fish. Her younger brother revealed that she could not swim.

Investigators reported the discovery of a 68-year-old Nok, lifeless in a fish pond in Chanthaburi’s Tha Mai district. Local police Nok floating near a bamboo bridge used for feeding the fish. . Continued …

Thailand Added To Human Rights Watchlist By International NGO

An international non-profit organization has added Thailand to its watchlist of countries experiencing rapid declines in civic freedoms on alleged grounds of targeting of activists, critics and the opposition by the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Thailand is now among 50 countries rated “Repressed” by Civitus Monitor. This rating is typically given to countries where civic space is heavily contested by power holders, who impose a combination of legal and practical constraints on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights. Continued …

Rage over plan to raze Thai national park for farming

The ongoing public hearings organized by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) over a plan to declare 265,286 rai of land in Thap Lan National Park as no longer being protected forest land – paving the way for these parts of the park to be used for agricultural purposes – have sparked heated debate.

While a number of the villagers – who began occupying parts of the park before the boundary of Thap Lan National Park was declared – support the separation of the 265,286 rai, many conservationists and other members of the public disagree with the plan, approved by the cabinet on March 14 of last year. Continued …

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Thailand’s island enforces plastic ban

People in Koh Nang Yuan, a famous tourist island in southern Thailand, have maintained the habit of limiting the use of plastic items for many years, especially single-use products. Tourists are also required to do the same to retain the island’s natural environment and protect the coral reef.

Comprised of three islets connected by white sand, the island is a great diving spot to see coral reefs. During the peak tourist season, Koh Nang Yuan attracts thousands of tourists every day, most of them are foreign travelers who want to scuba dive to see coral and record wonderful scenes underwater. Continued …

Online service to aid foreign enterprises in Thailand

The Department of Business Development (DBD) plans to introduce a new online service dubbed e-Foreign Business to help foreign investors apply for permission to operate a business, which is expected to be operational this month.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the department, said the new system should not only shorten the processing time of business registrations, but also reduce the volume of required documents. Continued …

Thai economy not good, with growth worsening: Finance Minister

Thailand’s economy has not been good for a long time, with growth deteriorating as it faces structural problems, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said today.

The government was working to lift economic growth to 3% this year from current projections of about 2.5%, Pichai told a business seminar, adding growth was low compared with rates of close to 6% in the past. Continued …

Minister warns of low inflation

The prolonged period of low inflation in Thailand poses a danger to the economy, warns Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.

According to Paopoom, consumer inflation rates have fallen below the target ranges set for both core inflation and headline inflation. The Bank of Thailand currently has an inflation target range of 1%-3%. Continued …

Bridging Thailand’s Infrastructure Investment Gap

Thailand is facing the dual challenge of tackling extensive infrastructure investment needs and growing public finance constraints. With Thailand’s 1.9% economic growth in 2023 falling well below expectations, the government is introducing a 500-billion-baht (US$13.6 billion) digital wallet scheme to stimulate private demand. This is expected to constrain public financing for structural challenges such as infrastructure.

Tackling the infrastructure gap is a priority to spur long-term growth. The government is looking to private finance for this, especially through public–private partnerships (PPP). Continued …

Hong Kong-based property giant eyes land bridge investment

New World Development (NWD), a prominent Hong Kong property firm, has shown keen interest in investing in Thailand’s strategic sectors, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Tuesday. NWD CEO Adrian Cheng said the discussion focused on NWD’s interest in participating in Thailand’s ambitious 1-trillion-baht land bridge project, which will serve as a link between the Pacific and Indian oceans and the south of Thailand. Continued …

Will Thailand’s ‘integrated entertainment complexes’ become the new industry leader in Asia?

Macau, Genting Highlands, Singapore’s Marina Bay – could Bangkok be the next stop for casino-loving tourists?

Nearly a year after Thailand’s current government came to power, it has made significant strides toward legalizing casino gambling, a seed sown more than 20 years ago when Thaksin Shinawatra was prime minister. A draft law may be tabled in parliament this month, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin setting an ambitious target to pass it by early 2025. Continued …

No sign of a ‘just’ energy transition

As multiple impacts of climate change become more severe worldwide, including in Thailand, the need for an energy transition becomes ever more paramount. To that end, the latest draft of the Power Development Plan (draft PDP2024), which was unveiled in June, is touted by the Ministry of Energy as being consistent with Thailand’s goals of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero by 2065 – goals that already lag behind those of most countries.

According to one source, that draft is not only failing to bring Thailand closer to its climate goals but also risks increasing the economic, social and environmental costs. Continued …

Constant Energy Signs Solar Power Deal With Midea Refrigeration Equipment

Constant Energy has signed one of its largest corporate power purchase agreements (PPA) to date, a significant 12-megawatt peak (MWp) solar rooftop project with Midea Refrigeration Equipment (Thailand), a subsidiary of Fortune 500 company Midea Group. This agreement was established in collaboration with Anhui Midea Hekang Electric Power Engineering.

The solar installations, under this partnership, will be deployed at Midea’s factory in Chonburi Province, spanning three buildings and one car park. These installations will comply with Constant Energy’s stringent international health and safety standards. Continued …

Surge in demand sparks price war among Bangkok office buildings

As more multinationals open their branches in Thailand, office buildings in downtown Bangkok have begun employing price strategies to attract new tenants, real-estate consultants Knight Frank Thailand, said on Monday.

Competition is especially strong in the Rama IV area, where the One Bangkok mega project is poised to fully open later this year, said Panya Jenkitvathanalert, head of Knight Frank Thailand’s office agency. Continued …

Honda to end vehicle production at Ayutthaya plant

Honda Automobile (Thailand) says it plans to stop making cars at its Ayutthaya factory and consolidate all assembly at an expanded Prachin Buri facility to enhance its competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) segment.

The moves announced on Tuesday aim to deal with overcapacity and focus resources on electrification as battery EVs gain popularity in the country, where Chinese automakers are fast gaining ground. Continued …

TTA and King Long Target Thai EV Market

Thoresen Thai Agencies (TTA) ha teamed up with King Long to enter the Thai EV market, targeting commercial electric pickup customers, and aiming to sell 1,000 vehicles in the first year. The first showroom in the suburban Bangkok area was opened recently, and distributor partners were selected.

This year, they will commence market entry with a 1-ton commercial pickup model. The initial model to be released is a single-cab pickup aimed at Thailand’s commercial transport and logistics operators. It will be available for both fleet and retail sales. Continued …

Etix mulls second data center

France-based data center operator Etix Everywhere is considering setting up a second data center in Thailand to serve future demand, in line with increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) among enterprises.

“A second site is on the table to serve customer demand, as we have to be ready to deliver it fast. We have shortlisted real estate that could be used to serve this demand,” Pierre Patris, Etix Everywhere’s chief executive for Asia, said. Continued …

ASEAN’s free trade successes are only the beginning

An upgrade to the Southeast Asian bloc’s key trade agreement holds huge potential for businesses that can keep up with a changing regulatory environment.

There’s no doubt Southeast Asia has been the lucky winner in the realignment of global supply chains. But when digging deeper, it’s clear this recent influx of foreign investment and international businesses has little to do with luck. Continued …

Cannabis Shop Owners Plead with Government Over Drug Reclassification

Cannabis shop owners in Khon Kaen have criticized the government for reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic. They question how they will be compensated after investing 10 million baht without seeing a return, despite following all regulations.

Yesterday, a reporter visited K Cannabis shop in Khon Kaen to gather opinions after the Narcotics Control Board approved a draft announcement by the Ministry of Public Health reclassifying cannabis and hemp as narcotics, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Continued …

Anutin Furious Over Move to Reclassify Cannabis as a Narcotic

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as the minister of Interior, has vehemently opposed the Health Ministry’s plan to categorize cannabis as a controlled substance once again.

This move, proposed by the same committee that had earlier recommended its decriminalization during Anutin’s tenure as the minister of Public Health, marks a significant pivot in the government’s stance on cannabis, stirring substantial controversy. Continued …

Chinese visitors give Thailand good ratings overall

The majority of Chinese nationals traveling to Thailand in the second quarter of this year came to enjoy Thai foods and fruits, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand.

The Council’s report, published last week, surveyed 205 Chinese nationals, 44% of them from Mainland China, 24% from Hong Kong, 18% from Taiwan and 14% from Singapore. Continued …

Ministry urges Thai tourism authority to set higher revenue target

The tourism revenue target for 2025 might be increased, as the Tourism and Sports Ministry would like to see the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a higher target than the 3.5 trillion baht sought this year.

During the TAT Action Plan 2025 meeting on Tuesday, the agency announced a target of 3.4 trillion baht next year, based on a projection of 7.5% growth from 3 trillion baht, which is the agency’s primary goal and the most likely scenario for 2024. Continued …

Phuket hopes to become Asia’s wellness tourism hub with health expo

Phuket is set to make waves in the wellness tourism industry with the launch of the Phuket Health Expo later this month. Provincial officials, led by Gov. Sophon Suwannarat, announced the event during a press conference at the Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday.

The expo, scheduled for July 24-28 at Central Festival Phuket, aims to catapult the island into the spotlight as Asia’s top destination for health and wellness tourism. Continued …

Ramayana takes to the stage this coming weekend

Eight versions of the Ramayana, one of the greatest Indian ancient epics, will be performed to commemorate His Majesty the King’s birthday. The performances aim to disseminate each country’s unique and diverse Ramayana heritage, thus allowing the public to appreciate and learn how to preserve this performing art. The performances will take place from July 12-15 at three venues: the main auditorium of the Thailand Cultural Center, Sanam Luang, and ICONSIAM Shopping Center. Link http://dcpthaiyouth.net/concert. (The Nation)

Travel + Leisure Readers’ 5 Favorite Hotels in Bangkok

Travelers come to Bangkok for its gleaming temples, delicious food, and colorful markets. Travel + Leisure readers cherish the city’s distinguished urban retreats for their blend of pampering service and cultural connection.

Every year for its World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Continued …

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