Cobra Gold wargames start Monday, may affect some flightsA parachuter participates in Cobra Gold in March 2023. (Photo: Royal Thai Army)Nearly 10,000 military officers will participate in Cobra Gold from Feb 26 to March 8, and the military exercise may cause some flight delays, according to officials. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said on Sunday that 9,590 military officers from 30 countries would take part in the 12-day drills – full-scale for the first year after being downsized during the Covid-19 pandemic. Muay Thai boxing would be a part of Cobra Gold as the government expected participants would help promote the sport overseas in the future, the spokesman said. Flights might be slightly delayed during the period, he said.

Some valid points hereRe: "Taxes slashed for booze, pubs", & "Thaksin can enter politics on parole", (BP, Feb 24). The Excise Department director-general said alcohol prices are stimulus measures to encourage visitors to travel to Thailand. Do tourists really choose a place to visit based on alcohol prices as the first criteria? Thaksin can enter politics. Our prime minister said we should have effective feeder public transport services in Bangkok.

The curtain looks to be coming down on the once-mighty bloc ruled by the Three Por generals -- former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, former deputy prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and former interior minister Gen Anupong Paojinda. However, after the former prime minister was named a privy councillor, his nomination is believed to have been invalidated to preserve his political neutrality. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, meanwhile, will handle administrative duties and day-to-day routine work, including chairing cabinet meetings and representing the government at international forums. Without a support base in the party, this role seems well-suited to his skills and background, according to the analyst. He said the so-called double-PM phenomenon is a challenge to independent public agencies, particularly the Election Commission (EC), which is responsible for upholding political party law and ensuring fair and transparent political processes.

Amid global risks, investment themes for ThailandThe global economic and investment landscape at the beginning of 2024 bears some similarities to the start of last year. However, the global economy has been relatively resilient in the face of these risks. Data from the US investment bank Goldman Sachs indicates global economic activity is as buoyant now as it was in 2019 before the pandemic. Meanwhile, economic policy risk, measured by the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index, is 254.4, down from the three-year average of 263.9. This was in line with many countries that also contracted, which indicates the global economy is weakening.

Thai beauty pageant’s 900% rally defies warning, beats Miss UniverseExecutives of Miss Grand International Plc poses for photos on the first day of trading on Dec 14, 2023. (Photo: @SET_Thailand_EN X account)A gravity-defying rally in Thailand’s beauty-pageant organiser Miss Grand International Plc (MGI) is finally seen petering out on concerns that the valuation has become overstretched. It’s now trading at 65 times 12-month trailing earnings, compared with about 17 for the benchmark SET Index, according to Bloomberg calculations. “Excessive valuation and regulatory risk from the exchange’s tight control will make most investors cautious about the stock,” he said. MGI started beauty pageants about a decade ago, and has used events and contestants to promote and advertise products to build awareness and sales.

The Thai export sector has lost competitiveness in global markets, with the market share of rice shipments falling by more than 50% over the past 20 years, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Long-standing structural impediments in the export and manufacturing sectors are having a more discernible impact on the Thai economy, said the central bank. Thailand's electronics export growth averaged only 4% over the past decade, well below its regional peers such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia, which posted export growth of 37%, 14% and 10%, respectively. In addition, the MPC said the current loan-to-value (LTV) measures remain appropriate. Some property developers recently asked the Finance Ministry to loosen the LTV measures to increase activity in the sector.

Many cops in serious debtNational police chief Pol Gen Torsak SukvimolMany police have fallen into debt totalling some 300 billion baht and most are on the verge of bankruptcy, said national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. In "opening up" to the committee, Pol Gen Torsak said many officers were in bad shape financially, having accrued some 300 billion baht in debt, and are in danger of being declared bankrupt. If their living conditions improve, they will feel more motivated to serve and protect the people," said Pol Gen Torsak. If there is something suspicious, I will not sign it," said Pol Gen Torsak. Also, Pol Gen Torsak told the media that he has various units seeking ways to resolve the shortage of police investigators.

Th weather office announced the start of summer on Wednesday, with a forecast for temperatures to rise to a blistering 45°C. (Bangkok Post)The Meteorological Department has announced the start of summer, with temperatures expected to peak at a blistering 45°C over the next few months in some areas. Meanwhile, people gathered to enjoy a late frost at the top of Thailand's highest mountain, in Chiang Mai, on Thursday morning. In lowland areas of Chiang Mai province, temperatures were 14-16°C. Frost coats leaves at the top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province on Thursday morning, as the Meteorogical Department announced the start of a hot, dry summer.

Standing in the middle of a lush lawn, a monument of King Vajiravudh greets visitors to"101 Years Of Phya Thai Palace: The Glory Of Siam", which runs until March 16. It is a collaboration by Ama Studio, DecideKit, Na Satta, Fos Lighting Design and LightSource to bring the palace back to life as a night museum, creating immersive visual experiences through cutting-edge multimedia presentations.

The US naval supply ship Ocean Valor takes part in a mission to salvage HTMS Sukhothai in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Thursday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Thai and US navies on Thursday started the salvage of the corvette HTMS Sukhothai in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan. Thirty-five Thai naval divers and 14 American naval divers will be diving together to the wreck over the course of a 19-day mission, said Adm Adung Phan-iam Navy, the Royal Thai Navy commander-in-chief. HTMS Sukhothai sank about 35 kilometres off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan on Dec 18, 2022, after being caught in a storm. Last month the US warned the Royal Thai Navy about the reported involvement of a Chinese company in a plan to salvage the vessel, which was built in the US in 1987.

(Photo: Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia Facebook)Cambodia's Supreme Privy Council President Hun Sen visited his long-time friend Thaksin Shinawatra at the former prime minister's Bangkok residence on Wednesday morning, amid tight security. Hun Sen arrived at Don Mueang airport on Wednesday morning and then travelled in a Mercedes Benz to see Thaksin at his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bang Phlat district. Hun Sen thanked Thaksin and Ms Paetongtarn for their warm welcome and invited Ms Paetongtarn to visit Cambodia on March 14-15. Thaksin, 74, and Hun Sen, 71, developed a strong friendship during their many years in power. Cambodian strongman reportedly decided to visit Thaksin at his home out of a personal concern for his health.

Central bank says ringgit decline does not reflect improving prospects for economyThe last time the Malaysian ringgit fell below 4.8 to the US dollar was in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. (Photo: Reuters)The Malaysian ringgit continues to trade near its lowest level since the 1998 Asian financial crisis, prompting the central bank to say it does not reflect the improving outlook for the economy. The currency edged up 0.1% on Wednesdsay morning, after slipping past 4.8 against the US dollar on Tuesday, its weakest level since reaching an all-time low of 4.885 in 1998. Other emerging Asian currencies strengthened marginally, with the Thai baht holding steady around 35.84 to the dollar in offshore trade. The weakness in the ringgit has defied steadiness in oil prices — a Malaysian export — and prospects of a recovery in electronics exports.

Thaksin has long been seen as the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, now led by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Prime Minister Srettha faces challenges due to his newcomer status, having entered the political arena less than six months before assuming premiership. Some analysts anticipate a potential shift in power from Mr Srettha to Thaksin, resulting in a so-called double prime minister phenomenon. If the former prime minister would like to make suggestions, there's no one in the government who wouldn't want to hear it." However, Mr Yutthaporn believes there is no need for a change in leadership and Mr Srettha is likely to remain.

Move Forward questions justice of Thaksin's return homeThe Move Forward Party (MFP) on Sunday took to social media to say that regarding Thaksin Shinawatra's illness and parole, many people questioned if the law was enforced with fairness and without discrimination. The main opposition party posted the question on Facebook after former prime minister Thaksin was discharged from Police General Hospital early on Sunday morning. The MFP wrote that many people were dubious about whether any special treatment might be evident in the enforcement of Thai law after Thaksin was allowed to stay at the hospital for 180 days without clarification on his illness and was later paroled. Although the government answered questions on Thaksin's health and the criteria for his parole, it could not stop society from posing questions about fair law enforcement and treatment in comparison with the cases of other inmates and political prisoners. Thai society must be free of double standards, the MFP wrote.

Mystique fadingRe: "Has Pakistan's military finally lost its mystique?" Mihir Sharma is correct in his analysis of the Pakistan elections held on Feb 8. Any country where the military and judiciary can oust elected politicians and exile them without due process is bound to deteriorate. Historically, in this region, family dynasties and the elite have exploited their cordial relations with the military for personal gains. The Election Commission, judiciary, military, crony elites, and corrupt politicians have contributed to the current crisis in Pakistan.