1.5C goal on the line as countries gear up for key climate talksHeatwaves have scorched the planet in 2023. PARIS: Facing record-shattering temperatures and a geopolitical tinderbox, countries are scrambling to lay the groundwork for crucial UN climate talks next month tasked with salvaging global warming goals laid out in the landmark Paris deal. The 2015 deal aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era and preferably a safer 1.5C. The question is whether countries perceive climate change as a "collective threat", Alden Meyer of think tank E3G told AFP. An agreement to help vulnerable countries cope with climate "loss and damage" is also a key point of contention.

New frigate a challenge for navy"There has been no order from the government or the Pheu Thai Party. — Sutin Klungsang, Defence MinisterThe government's decision to procure a Chinese-made frigate to replace a submarine the navy ordered in 2017 will pose a significant challenge for the navy, especially given that numerous items have been procured to support the submarine plan. A testing facility with storage for torpedoes and minesThe facility was completed in July with a budget of 129.3 million baht. Submarine communications, command and control systemA budget of 300 million baht was set aside for systems procurement, and 10.5 million baht was disbursed. It comprises radio comms equipment (70 million baht), to be completed next September, and strategic command and control equipment and system (230 million baht), procurement of which is expected to begin next year.

Each holding a Thai flag, Thai workers from Israel disembark at Don Mueang airport on Thursday morning. Iran is believed to be supporting Hamas with funds, weapons and training in its ongoing war with Israel. Mr Srettha also referred to the issue of Thai workers whose salaries have not been paid and who wish to return home. So far, the remains of 15 Thais have been returned to the kingdom, she said, adding that 4,771 Thais have returned to Thailand on 23 government-sponsored flights. Some countries have already informed Thailand that they wish to recruit Thai workers for fruit picking or farm jobs, he added.

Government advised to revive Chinese confidenceTourists visit Wat Pho, or Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok on Oct 22. Atta president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said in the past few months outbound tour operators in China turned to selling tour packages to Singapore and Malaysia instead of Thailand because of low tourist confidence. He said while the number of tourists from tour groups was relatively small, if the government pushed this segment it could help restore confidence. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT governor, said 4-4.4 million Chinese tourists are projected to arrive this year. She said the agency acknowledges it must do more to remove negative online content about Thai tourism, replacing it with good news about the country.

The seeds of soft power'Soft power" is becoming a new catchphrase in Thai society. The National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC) -- a national super board designed to promote the creative economy -- held its first meeting this week at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With many working groups, soft power projects coincide with various other goals. But this time, it is hoped that the government -- or the soft power super board -- define their objectives and cascade tasks in a way that prevents any redundancy. The soft power industry is also unlike the tech industry or modern agriculture.

US auto workers union reaches preliminary deal with FordUAW President Shawn Fain, shown at a Chicago rally earlier this month, hailed a tentative agreement with Ford as an historic win. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK - The auto workers union in the United States reached a tentative agreement with Ford late Wednesday, a breakthrough in a 41-day stoppage on Detroit's "Big Three" car manufacturers. The deal, which rank-and-file workers must still approve in a vote, includes a 25% wage increase for hourly employees, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union said. "For months we've said that record profits mean record contracts," said UAW President Shawn Fain in a statement. But in a twist, the UAW said Ford workers would return to their shifts to apply pressure to GM and Stellantis.

Stock markets globally also dropped heavily as geopolitical anxiety intensified, said Pakorn Peetathawatchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The SET Index has declined 16% for the year to date and is one of the worst performers in the region, but the fundamentals of the Thai stock market remain solid, he added. “Like other markets, the Thai stock market was pressured by external factors,” said Mr Pakorn. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is preparing to lead a roadshow in Singapore next month to restore confidence among regional investors in the Thai stock market. Discussing a possible extension of SET trading hours, Mr Pakorn said the study was still at the public hearing stage and no conclusion has been reached.

Tourist areas eyed for 4am closing of entertainment venuesNeon lights illuminate Khao San Road, one of the popular tourist destinations in Bangkok. (Photo: Government House)The meeting agreed in principle for the Interior Ministry to formulate a ministerial regulation outlining criteria for local administrations in areas with tourism potential. The administrations could then submit requests for permission to allow entertainment venues to stay open until 4am. The Interior Ministry would consider the requests and grant permits based on the set criteria for each area, Ms Traisuree said. She said Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had acknowledged the agreement and had instructed concerned offices to draft the ministerial regulation.

Tata sees short-term impact from conflictSteel wire rods produced by Tata Steel Thailand (TSTH). TSTH believes the Israel-Hamas conflict could cause oil prices to fluctuate, affecting the operating costs of manufacturers. The Israel-Hamas conflict is expected to cause a short-term negative impact for the steel industry, which is experiencing a cyclical downturn, says Tata Steel Thailand Plc (TSTH), a unit of India's largest steelmaker. The Russia-Ukraine war caused an surge in global crude oil prices last year, driving up energy costs among steel factories. The quantity of steel wire rods from China continues to increase in Thailand and in other Asean member states, TSTH said.

Just 180 active 'influential people', 10 provinces have nonePolice display weapons seized during a nationwide crackdown on illegal firearms, at the police training centre in Nonthaburi in July. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The House committee on administration announced on Wednesday it had learned there are just 180 active "influential people" in the country, and 10 provinces are totally free of them. Mr Chada oversees the government's nationwide campaign to suppress influential people (a metaphor for influential crooks) and is also from Bhumjaithai. Mr Korawee said Mr Chada's delegation told them 180 influential people were still active and officials also listed 625 former influential people who had already agreed to stop coercing others. Mr Chada said the department reported that influential people were operating in 66 provinces, but the other 10 provinces were free of them.

In the international segment, international exhibitions generated the most revenue, reaching 17.7 billion baht, which was higher than the level recorded in 2019, said Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, director of exhibitions at TCEB. He said this trend would continue as the agency anticipates 10% growth in international exhibitions in 2024, generating around 19.5 billion baht. While China was previously the country providing the most international visitors in this segment, this market would not regain the top spot in the near future, as economic challenges were still disrupting travel demand there, he said. In 2023, domestic Mice attracted 16.5 million visitors, generating 50 billion baht. Mr Chiruit said the domestic Mice market rebounded more slowly than expected, as the majority of exhibition suppliers and organisers pivoted to international events instead.

Sri Lanka approves free tourist visa for Thailand, 6 other countriesA surfboard is seen in the middle of an empty beach, near hotels at Unawatuna beach in Galle, Sri Lanka. The scheme is part of attempts by Sri Lanka to boost tourism recovery and hit a target of 5 million arrivals by 2026, the statement added. But the tourism industry is seeing a turnaround in 2023 with Sri Lanka clocking a million arrivals by September, for the first time since 2019. A group of tourists walks inside the main market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Oct 20, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)India is the largest source of tourists with 200,310 arrivals, followed by Russia with 132,300, latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority showed.

Petrol price cut next weekMotorists queue to fill up at a service station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. (Bangkok Post photo)The cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in the pump price of gasohol 91 for three months, probably from Oct 31, the energy minister said. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the price cut would come from a reduction in excise tax of 2.5 baht per litre. The price cut, through a reduction in excise tax, would reduce state revenue by about 1 billion baht, the energy minister said. Mr Pirapan, also a deputy prime minister, said the Energy Ministry would find ways to also reduce the pump prices of other kinds of petrol.

Afghanistan send Pakistan crashing to shock World Cup defeatCaptain fantastic: Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi celebrates after hitting the winning runs against Pakistan. CHENNAI (INDIA) - Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup on Monday. The defeat leaves Pakistan's World Cup campaign in disarray with three defeats in five games and a formidable South Africa to face at the same venue on Friday. On a spin-friendly Chidambaram Stadium pitch, Afghanistan fielded four slow bowlers with 18-year-old left-armer Noor Ahmad grabbing a career best 3-49 on his World Cup debut. Ahmad then dismissed Pakistan's top scorer in the World Cup, Mohammad Rizwan, caught sweeping in his next over to leave Pakistan on 120-3.

Srisuwan petitions for ethics probe of Thaksin's doctorsFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters when he arrived at Don Mueang airport on Aug 22. Mr Srisuwan said that he will submit the petition at 10am on Tuesday at the TMC's office in Nonthaburi, according to his announcement. Mr Srisuwan said the director-general of the Department of Corrections' (DoC) decision to approve Thaksin’s stay extension was suspicious, suggesting the department is giving Thaksin special privileges. The public can demand the TMC conduct an ethics investigation against them, said Mr Srisuwan. Pichit Chaimongkol, a group member, said that the group wants factual information about Thaksin’s illness, as well as his expected date of discharge.