In a remote Indonesian village, teacher Abidin uses the Korean alphabet Hangul to transcribe and preserve the endangered Cia-Cia dialect, ensuring its survival for future generations.

Thai Airways is no longer classified as a state enterprise. "The Finance Ministry and Sepo are reviewing the need for an additional capital injection into Thai Airways," he said. "The company's performance has been consistently good, prompting shareholders, including the ministry, to reconsider whether a further capital infusion is necessary." The Finance Ministry sought to add these administrators to provide a micro-level of focus on securities and the company's valuation, he said. "With the government holding a 40% stake in Thai Airways, it would be difficult to deny such involvement entirely."

Illustrative image (Photo: https://www.bangkokpost.com/)Bangkok (VNA) - Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is projected to raise Thailand's GDP by 6% by 2030, with hefty contributions from the trade and manufacturing sectors, according to a joint online survey by SCB X and SCB Economic Intelligence Centre (SCB EIC) of the country. According to the SCB X-SCB EIC survey of small- and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) business readiness for GenAI, conducted from April 18 to 25, 2024, the companies are increasingly familiar with GenAI and have started using AI more widely, especially in the manufacturing and service sectors, for marketing and sales, as well as seeking additional information and new business ideas. However, the survey noted that Thai SMEs are not fully prepared for the arrival of GenAI, particularly in terms of data readiness and infrastructure. In another study, the "IDC Data and AI Pulse: Asia-Pacific 2024", commissioned by AI analytics firm SAS, only 23% of organisations in Southeast Asia were described as transformative in their AI adoption. The survey highlights the challenges faced by early adopters, such as a lack of specialised skilled personnel (41%), managing costs associated with AI development and deployment (30%), and lack of clear evaluation criteria for AI solutions (29%).

People's Party submits push to limit Senate's roleThe Democracy Monument in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, in July 2024. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)One of the proposals for an amendment to the constitution submitted by the People's Party (PP) seeks to exclude the Senate from the charter amendment process, according to the secretariat of the House of Representatives. According to the House secretariat, the PP has submitted 17 proposals seeking to amend the constitution section by section. The section stipulates that a charter amendment bill requires the support of at least one-third of the new 200-member Senate, or 67 senators. Before it was dissolved and reborn as the PP, the Move Forward Party pushed three charter amendment proposals.

Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will start looking into the legal aspects of a small modular reactor project this month to prepare Thailand for using nuclear energy. The ongoing development of a small modular reactor within a new power generation facility in Hainan, China. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will start looking into the legal aspects of a small modular reactor project this month to prepare Thailand for using nuclear energy. Thailand uses natural gas as a major fuel for power generation but the supply of natural gas is decreasing. As the result, the country needs to find new fuels while it is also committed to using more clean energy, as stated in its 2024 power development plan.

Study-work policy to keep kids in classListen to this articleThe Digital Economy and Society Ministry is pushing a policy allowing students to earn additional income while studying in a bid to bring out-of-school children back into the classroom. Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong chaired the first meeting of the Thailand Zero Dropout committee on Tuesday, which Nahathai Thewphaingarm, assistant to the Prime Minister's Office's minister and vice-chairwoman of the committee, also attended. The committee is addressing the issue of children and youth dropping out of school, in line with the government's education policy. More broadly, the Thailand Zero Dropout committee aims to streamline the education system and offer people access to lifelong learning across all age groups in response to the government's nine-point education master policy announced on Sept 12. Mr Prasert, also deputy prime minister, said the dropout problem needs to be systematically tackled in the long term.

Thailand set to reap $2 billion 'rainbow tourism' boonListen to this articleThe Love Pride Parade 2024 is held in Bangkok to celebrate Pride Month in July. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Thailand's landmark move to legalise same-sex marriage is set to boost “rainbow tourism” by attracting four million more visitors annually, and generate about US$2 billion in revenue, according to travel platform Agoda. Thailand became the first nation in Southeast Asia earlier this year to legalize same-sex marriage, and the third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. Tourism is a key growth driver for the Thai economy, the second largest in Southeast Asia. In 2019, Thailand saw record foreign arrivals — almost 40 million — which generated $60 billion in revenue.

Thai-born superstar Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal returns to Thailand for a special meet-and-greet session with her devoted fans on Wednesday. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as her fans overwhelmed her with heartfelt surprises and came together to sing the traditional Loy Krathong song.

Everyone is invited to celebrate Loy Krathong at 10 cultural heritage waterfronts along the curve of the Chao Phraya River during the Bangkok River Festival 2024, which will kick off on Thursday and run until Saturday, from 4pm to 10pm. On Loy Krathong day this Friday, however, the festival will run until midnight. Another highlight is to float your own candlelight krathong or lantern in an eco-friendly fashion. A large pond will be arranged at each venue, as part of this year's campaign to not release krathongs into the river to help prevent water pollution. Free shuttle boats will be available at all 10 piers on all three days.

Are you ready to indulge in innovative Isaan cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients from Khon Kaen and other northeastern provinces? Kaen Krung, which opened today in Bangkok's Krung Thon area, welcomes food lovers to experience a creative twist on traditional dishes, with a strong focus on sustainability and originality.

Donald Trump is likely to take many executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement and roll back signature Biden legal entry programs, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

All of these align with the ESG concept, showing that TAP upholds sustainability across all dimensions." Green Industry - Level 4 Reflects TAP's Environmental Culture and Community EngagementThis year, TAP has advanced to become a green organisation by winning the Green Industry Level 4: Green Culture standard award. Prior to achieving the Level 4 standard award, TAP had previously attained Green Industry certifications at Levels 1 through 3 in 2022. "Zero Accident Campaign 2024" Promotes Workplace SafetyBeyond environmental and community engagement initiatives, another crucial aspect is demonstrating effective management of safety, occupational health, and workplace environment. TAP brewery has participated in the Zero Accident Campaign, organised by Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSH), aimed at preventing workplace accidents.

'Multidimensional poverty' a worry despite progressListen to this articleWhile Thailand has managed to cut the number of people living in poverty by half in just seven years, many Thais still live with substandard living conditions-- lacking access to adequate healthcare, education, and sanitation -- especially those living in rural areas, according to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). According to the 2024 MPI, which examines 112 countries worldwide, about 1.1 billion out of 6.3 billion people live in acute multidimensional poverty. The report said the progress was made possible by the government's push to improve access to basic housing, nutrition, and education. However, the rate of multidimensional poverty in Thailand is approximately 0.5% higher than the rate of monetary poverty, according to the 2024 MPI. Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said Narathiwat, Surin, Mae Hong Son, Uthai Thani and Pattani reported the highest rates of multidimensional poverty in the country last year.

Charges due for 1st batch of iCon suspectsThe Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is expediting its investigation into the first group of suspects involved in The iCon Group pyramid scheme, with its acting chief saying yesterday the process could be wrapped up as soon as today. These suspects will also face additional charges under the Fraudulent Loan Act and Direct Sale and Marketing Act, Pol Maj Yuthana said. He added that the second group of suspects will be charged as soon as the investigation into their role in the scheme wraps up. Pol Maj Yuthana said investigators have seized 78 land plots across Greater Bangkok that are owned by the 18 suspects and their accomplices. Amlo is now working on a stabilised asset list before working out the appropriate compensation for The iCon Group victims.

Listen to this articleKoh KutForeign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa sought to allay concerns over upcoming talks with Cambodia regarding issues related to the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) in the Gulf of Thailand, stressing that for the negotiations to be successful, they must be mutually accepted by both nations. The minister said the 2001 MoU does not lead to territorial loss to Cambodia. The map included in the MoU merely illustrates each country's claimed continental shelf area and does not represent a maritime boundary line. He added the MoU is advantageous for Thailand as it mandates concurrent talks on maritime borders and joint development. Meanwhile, Wichit Sukasuyanon, president of the Trat Tourism Association, expressed concern that issues related to the 2001 MoU are affecting tourism.