Budget airlines set for struggle amid fierce competitionAircraft operated by local low-cost carriers Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are parked at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. Mr Patee said two Airbus A330-300 planes will be used in the first quarter, targeting a utilisation rate of 13 hours per day for each aircraft. He said Really Cool's products and services stand apart from low-cost carriers as competition in this segment is not feasible for a new airline. Existing players could pursue a price dumping strategy to cripple newcomers, relying on their more extensive networks, said Mr Patee. Mr Patee says the new airline plans to fly two Airbus A330-300 aircrafts in the first quarter.

Levels of ultra-fine dust, known as PM2.5, have been either moderate or unhealthy in recent days in some areas of Bangkok and several other provinces, according to the Ministry of Public Health. People, particularly those with chronic diseases, are advised to check the air quality before leaving their homes or engaging in outdoor activities, the ministry advises. According to the air quality website of the Pollution Control Department, PM2.5 levels in certain provinces — particularly in the Northeast such as Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani — are now at the moderate (yellow) level or unhealthy (orange) level. Dr Opas said that before leaving their homes or participating in outdoor activities, people should check PM2.5 levels using the Air4Thai mobile application or visit the Pollution Control Department’s Air4Thai website. They can also visit https://pm25gistda.or.th to assess air quality levels:

Thai travellers warned to be safety consciousFrench police stand outside the Palace of Versailles after it was evacuated for security reasons, in Versailles, near Paris, on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)The Foreign Affairs Ministry has warned Thais travelling abroad to avoid areas of conflict and demonstrations about the Israeli-Hamas war, for their own safety. The travel advisory followed recent warnings by the Thai embassies in Paris and Brussels that Thais should avoid crowded areas in both countries. However, Thai travelers should have the phone numbers of relevant Thai embassies handy, in case they should need help. But when there is a situation, (travellers) must consider where they should go, and avoid areas where there are crowds or conflict," the spokeswoman said.

The cabinet on Monday extended the period of stay for Russian nationals under the visa exemption scheme to 90 days, from 30 days, to drive the market during the high season. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he plans to hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about other areas of cooperation in the future. However, tourism operators in Koh Samui and Phuket believe they can reap benefits from Russians staying in the country for longer. "The post-Covid trend has shown that tourists are keen to stay for longer at destinations," said Mr Thaneth. As of Oct 15, Russian tourists tallied over 1.03 million, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hoping for 1.47 million this year.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrives in Beijing, China on Monday. (Photo: Thai Khu Fah Facebook)Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he would discuss a possible solution to the wrangle over a Chinese submarine Thailand has commissioned with the Chinese government during his trip there. But it must respond to the navy's needs and maritime capabilities," Mr Srettha said. At the BRF, Mr Srettha will take an opportunity to boost the confidence of investors from both China and other countries in Thailand's economic connectivity, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development. After the visit to China, the prime minister will attend the 1st Asean-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Thailand, India, Indonesia risk biggest fallout from geopolitical shocksPalestinians search for casualties under the rubble of a house destroyed in Israeli strikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. Compounding the problem, US Treasury yields have soared on concerns that higher oil prices will revive inflation pressures. “For Indonesia, we think the fiscal position is likely to deteriorate.”Economists see some positives for India despite the higher dollar and elevated oil prices. Natixis’ Garcia Herrero pointed to strong macroeconomic data that makes the country’s assets attractive despite the headwinds. “The fact that Indian data has been so strong — latest PMI was the best in Asia — does help India,” said Garcia Herrero.

The expected war in Gaza is likely to have a ripple effect on energy prices and affect other trade partners in the region. Wars often have unintended consequences and Thailand faces economic risks without a proper plan to mitigate the impact. However, there is a slim chance of this occurring as Iran does not want to interfere in this war, while Israel does not want to start a multi-front war, he said. Given fears the conflict could mushroom into a regional war, global oil prices, stock markets and gold prices may fluctuate, said Mr Somjai. SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUESThe Russia-Ukraine war and the pandemic already had a significant impact, causing disruptions to the global supply chain, he said.

(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Concern the Israeli-Hamas conflict may escalate has led to worries over volatility in global crude oil prices. Last week, West Texas Intermediate reference crude oil prices were expected to average $80-87 per barrel, according to an estimate by Thai Oil Plc, the oil refinery arm of PTT. The Middle East produces one-third of the global crude oil supply, and prices rose more than 4% on Tuesday. Oil prices are projected to remain flat at $85-87 because Israel and Palestine are not major oil producers, said the brokerage. The crude oil prices may fluctuate if the war escalates as the US, Canada and the Middle East are among the world's top 10 crude oil producers," said ASPS.

Most want B10,000 digital wallet scheme implemented but fear consequences: pollThe government's digital wallet steering committee holds a meeting at Government House on Oct 5. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)A huge majority of people want the Pheu Thai-led government to go ahead with the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme as planned although some of them worry it could turn out to be damaging, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. to compile their opinion on the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme. Under the digital wallet scheme championed by the Pheu Thai Party, every Thai national who is 16 and older will receive a one-time payment of 10,000 baht, to be wired into their digital wallet for spending within six months on products and services in shops within a 4km radius of their residence. Asked whether they worried the scheme could do more harm than good to the country, a majority, 56.19%, agreed – 30.92% moderately and 25.27% strongly.

Hubris meets nemesis as Israel refuses compromiseSooner or later, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's destructive political magic, which has kept him in power for 15 years, was bound to usher in a major tragedy. Meanwhile, he also sidelined the more moderate Palestinian leadership of Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, effectively beefing up the radical Hamas in Gaza. According to Mr Netanyahu's twisted logic, strong Islamist rule in Gaza would be the ultimate argument against a political solution in Palestine. But, in the ruthless, barbaric massacre of Israeli civilians in the villages surrounding Gaza, Mr Netanyahu's hubris met its nemesis in the form of Hamas's savagery. Fifty years and a day after Egypt and Syria launched their surprise attack in what became known as the Yom Kippur War, Hamas stormed Gaza's borders with Israel and slaughtered hundreds of defenceless civilians.

Ban Kradon train station in Nakhon Ratchasima province is part of the Chira-Khon Kaen double-track route. (Photo: Patipat Janthong)The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will ask the cabinet to approve the funding for the second phase of double-track upgrades between Khon Kaen and Nong Khai next week, according to Department of Rail Transport director-general Pichet Kunathammarak on Thursday. The loan will be repaid by the Budget Bureau using the government's annual budget. The double-track upgrades are meant to improve connectivity to the northeastern region and beyond. Transport officials have already been told to submit their proposal for the Hat Yai-Padang Besar double-track upgrade to the SRT board by next week.

Pickup hit by train at rail crossing, driver escapes deathPolice inspect the scene of a crash involving a pickup truck and a train at a railway crossing in Chaiya district of Surat Thani province on Friday. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)SURAT THANI: A man narrowly escaped death when a pick-up he was driving was hit by an oncoming train at a railway crossing in Chaiya district of this southern province early on Friday. Police said the incident occurred at about 3.50am at a railway crossing near a market in tambon Talad Chaiya. Tassanai Jiewmaidaeng, 56, the pickup driver, told police that while driving from his house to the market he overtook another pickup and sped toward the railway crossing without noticing that the wooden bars at the crossing had been lowered. The train paused for a while before proceeding to the Chaiya railway station about 200 metres away.

Veg fest to generate B9bn: TATPeople shop for ingredients for vegetarian meals in Talad Kao (Old Market) in Yaowarat on 24 September 2022. The Vegetarian Festival in Yaowarat will last until 4 October 2022. Mr Thanet said the vegetarian festival will bring a large number of tourists to Phuket during the end of the green season. Some hotels or restaurants will offer an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet while others will turn their menus into vegetarian food offerings. Meanwhile, Phuket Commerce Office director Woranit Apiratjirawong said officials regularly inspect the food ingredients in markets in Phuket.

She said another two Thai workers had been killed by a rocket, raising the Thai death toll to 20. Four more Thais had been wounded and three others reported abducted, bringing the injured to 13 and the abducted Thais to 14. She said the Thai embassy had checked the list of names and there were no Thais among them. A total of 5,019 Thai workers had said they wanted to Thailand. Ambassador meets Thai workers in Israel: On Tuesday afternoon, Pannabha Chandraramya, the Thai ambassador to Israel, visited Thai workers in a village near Herzliya city.

Russia, Myanmar discuss gas pipeline constructionRussia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, and Myanmar's Foreign Minister Than Swe attend a press conference after their meeting in Moscow on Sept 14, 2023. (Photo: AFP)MOSCOW - Top energy officials from Russia and Myanmar held discussions in Moscow on Wednesday on Russian participation in the construction of a gas pipeline to Yangon, the Russian energy ministry said. It did not provide further details. Myanmar started buying Russian oil products last year and said it was ready to pay in roubles.