Chinese market remains top priorityThai tourism operators present their products to Chinese tour agents at an Atta roadshow in Shanghai. After granting a visa exemption for Malaysian arrivals, Beijing is reportedly planning to offer a 30-day visa exemption for Singapore early next year, increasing from the current 15-day exemption offered to Singaporeans. As of Nov 15, 1.4 million Chinese travelled to Malaysia this year, which recently announced a visa exemption for Chinese from Dec 1. Singapore received 1.12 million Chinese travellers in the first 10 months. He said Thailand stands a chance to increase the Chinese market to 7 million next year, up from an estimate of less than 4 million for this year.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) still supports the national tripartite wage committee's daily minimum wage hike proposal, though there was disagreement among the cabinet on Tuesday. The current daily minimum wage in Bangkok is 353 baht, while workers in Chon Buri receive 354 baht a day. If the daily minimum wage soars, entrepreneurs may not be able to pay their workers, said Mr Kriengkrai. This means the daily minimum wage should increase by 3% a year. However, the situation of small hotels is totally different as they faced a wage hike last year, which heavily affected their businesses.

PTTEP joins efforts to address climate change at COP28 in the UAEPTTEP, as one of Thailand’s private sector entities, actively participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Montri Rawanchaikul, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), revealed that PTTEP and global energy companies have pledged the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter, as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). PTTEP also participated in the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum along with more than 500 global business leaders and philanthropists to achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gases. Additionally, PTTEP demonstrated its climate initiatives at Thailand Pavilion, organized by the Department of Climate Change and Environment. PTTEP’s executives also shared their visions and perspectives at side events hosted at the Thailand Pavilion, expressing ambitions to achieve net zero emissions.

Mr Disathat said OR is not concerned with competing against other budget hotels because its petrol stations are on or near highways and offer community malls. The hotels will serve tourists with a limited budget that want safe and clean rooms to stay for a few nights, he said. Mr Disathat did not disclose a budget for the hotel project as the company is studying its business feasibility. OR initiated the idea to develop budget hotels inside petrol stations between 2016 and 2017, then started feasibility discussions with four hotel chain operators. The plan to develop budget hotels will be supported by OR's 2024 investment budget, set at 23 billion baht, according to the firm.

House panel hearing Thursday on Thaksin's prolonged hospital stayFormer Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves to supporters at Don Mueang airport when he returned on Aug 22. The committee, chaired by Democrat MP Chaichana Dejdecho, will hear from representatives of the Department of Corrections, the Justice Ministry and Police General Hospital, Mr Nathapong said. Thaksin returned to the country on Aug 22 after more than 15 years of self-exile abroad. He was admitted to Police General Hospital on the night of Aug 22, 13 hours after he first entered prison, and he has not left there. The Royal Thai Police and the Department of Corrections have denied giving the convict any privileged treatment.

Tourists killed when van hits truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. (Photo: Phetkasem Chumphon rescue foundation via FM91 Trafficpro Facebook)Two Indian tourists were killed and five other people sustained severe injuries when a van they were travelling in rammed into the back of a truck in Chumphon on Saturday. Police, medics and rescue workers rushed to the scene and found a 10-wheel truck parked at a U-turn. The dead passengers were Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The truck moved to the right lane to make a U-turn, resulting in the van rear-ending it.

Realising the importance of urban trees, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and a network of green space organisations including the Urban Tree Network Association, Big Trees Group, We! Understand the systematic tree management process by the BMA through collaborative, ethical management practices. This aims to reduce instances of improper tree care in the future. Visit "Tree Clinic" booths where a team of professionals from the Department of Forestry and international experts will offer consultations on tree care. Visit rain trees at Benchakitti Park after joint rehabilitation by BMA arborists and staff.

Anti-corruption body plans public hearing on govt's 10k planPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin elaborates on his digital wallet scheme at Government House on Nov 10. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is planning to hold a public hearing to gauge opinions about the government's handling of its 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme as part of the NACC's monitoring of this controversial project. Opinions of general members of the public and experts in relevant fields recorded during the hearing will be compiled for analysis, said Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the NACC. They included personnel from the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Department, the Comptroller General's Department, the Public Debt Management Office and other experts. But Mr Srettha said he was still confident the implementation of the scheme could begin in May as planned.

70,000 migrants intercepted by Tunisia in 2023: officialA Libyan border guard gives water to a migrant during a rescue operation near the border with Tunisia. TUNIS - Close to 70,000 migrants were intercepted trying to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia to Italy this year, more than double the 2022 figure, the Tunisian National Guard told AFP on Saturday. The number intercepted by Tunisian authorities was 69,963 for the first 11 months of 2023, compared to 31,297 in the same period last year, according to data from the National Guard. Tunisia has been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs of "expelling" migrants to Libya and Algeria, which Tunisian authorities deny. Most of the intercepted migrants were caught on Tunisia's eastern coastline close to Sfax, which is only around 130 kilometres (80 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Indian tourists killed when van rear-ends truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two Indian passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. Truck driver Kraisorn Klinsawang, 32, of Prachuap Khiri Khan, waited for police at the scene. The deceased passengers were identified as Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The impact caused the van driver to lose control, and the vehicle overturned and plunged into the roadside ditch. They plan to question the van driver, the injured passengers and the truck driver.

10 things we expect to see next yearWith 2024 just around the corner, we are taking the opportunity today to list 10 things that could impact the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year. The delay in the Thai government budget for fiscal 2024 will hurt domestic growth, especially in the first half of the year. After a severe economic deceleration (or recession) is seen in global growth, central banks (likely led by the Fed) should start to ease, cushioning overall economic activity. Following a stabilisation in growth, which we expect to happen around year-end 2024, the door should open for market recovery. Hence, we have set a year-end 2024 SET target of 1,550 points, which represents a forward price/earnings ratio of 17.9 times the forecast earnings per share (EPS) of 95.80 baht.

Homa taps into taste for rented accommodation among younger generations, writes Kanana KatharangsipornHoma Cherngtalay is scheduled to open in January 2024. They're looking for more than just a place of comfort, but also a sense of community," he said. "Our properties offer a range of on-site services and activities for short- and long-term rent at an affordable price," said Mr Dotti. ISLAND ORIGINSThe roots of Homa's portfolio lie in Phuket with the development of Homa Phuket Town, involving an investment of 1.41 billion baht. "In Bangkok, access to mass transport is key, with a walkable distance of around 400-500 metres," said Mr Dotti.

(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The number of Thais held hostage by Hamas in Gaza remains at eight after one missing Thai believed to have been among the hostages was found safe in Israel, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv reported that a Thai national who had gone missing in Israel had recently contacted relatives in Thailand to say he was safe, Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said on Thursday. Talks for the release of all Thai hostages were continuing, but the situation in Gaza was still critical. Earlier, the Thai embassy had reported that a total of 23 Thai hostages had been released in Gaza, with nine remaining in captivity. On Wednesday, the embassy found one Thai citizen who was earlier believed to be among nine remaining hostages.

Democrat group targets NarapatChalermchai: Eyes party top jobA faction of MPs led by Dech-it Khaothong, a Democrat MP for Songkhla, tried to move against acting deputy leader Narapat Kaeothong's leadership bid as several MPs showed unwillingness to vote for him, a party source said on Wednesday. Chaichana Detdecho, acting deputy Democrat secretary-general, said a new party leader will be elected tomorrow following a leadership vacuum that has lasted for several months. "The Democrat Party is a political institution so every party member is given an equal chance to run as a candidate in the leadership contest," he said. "The party is not owned by any particular individual so no one knows in advance who will be elected as the new party leader," Mr Chaichana noted. He stressed that the new party leader must look to restore unity among party members and come up with policies to address the country's economic woes and push for decentralisation.

Pisa 2022 also included an assessment of young people's financial literacy, which was optional for countries and economies. Results for mathematics, reading and science were released on Tuesday and the results for creative thinking and financial literacy will be released in 2024. Mr Sompong said malnutrition and online game addictions among Thai students also have an adverse impact on their learning. Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob on Wednesday admitted Thai students had performed poorly in the latest Pisa assessment. "In the 2025 assessment, Thai student's rankings must improve.