Thailand set to reap $2 billion 'rainbow tourism' boon
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 14, 2024 09:10 UTC
Top places to celebrate Loy Krathong in Bangkok
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 13, 2024 20:34 UTC
Khon Kaen cuisine takes a twist at Kaen Krung
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 13, 2024 10:21 UTC
What are Trump’s Day One plans for immigration enforcement?
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 13, 2024 05:38 UTC
TAP Wins Triple Crown in National Sustainability Awards
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2024 20:43 UTC
'Multidimensional poverty' a worry despite progress
'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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2024 11:47 UTC
Charges due for 1st batch of iCon suspects
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2024 08:35 UTC
Maris allays concerns on Overlapping Claims Area in Gulf
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 07, 2024 03:05 UTC
Kittiratt off the hook for rice sale
Listen to this articleFormer commerce minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong was indicted in 2021 in connection with a rice sale to Indonesia a decade earlier, and acquitted of malfeasance this year. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Mr Kittiratt did not neglect his duty because the information regarding the rice sale and handover was handled by his deputy, Phum Sarapol. It said Mr Kittiratt knew that Siam Indica had been chosen to supply the additional quantity of rice without a bid being called. Mr Kittiratt served in the Yingluck Shinawatra government and has long been close to senior Pheu Thai Party figures. The government has proposed Mr Kittiratt for the position, but critics see a risk of political interference.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 06, 2024 14:43 UTC
US, others, condemn North Korea's missile launch
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile launch on Tuesday (November 5). He made the statement at U.N. headquarters jointly with representatives from Denmark, Ecuador, France, Greece, Japan, Malta, Panama, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the UK.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 06, 2024 06:21 UTC
Southeast Asia’s digital economy slows as consumers cut spending
Southeast Asia’s digital economy slows as consumers cut spendingConsumers in Thailand and other countries the region are curbing spending to cope with elevated inflation and interest rates. The local digital economy is also set to record its lowest level of private funding this year, the report showed. Consumers in the region of more than 650 million people are curbing spending to cope with elevated inflation and interest rates. “Robust macroeconomic conditions in SEA continue to underpin the digital economy,” the researchers wrote in the annual collaborative report. In the first half of the year, tech giants committed about $30 billion to build AI-ready data centers, the report showed.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 05, 2024 16:26 UTC
People's Party rejects 'not doing opposition duty' jibe
Party says public will judge it at next pollsListen to this articleParit: Party has been 'proactive'The People's Party (PP) dismissed criticism that it had failed to fulfil its duty as the opposition, saying the public would judge its performance in the next election. Speaking at a press conference on the main opposition party's legislative work on Monday, PP spokesman and list MP Parit Wacharasindhu said the party was doing its best to keep the government in check. According to Mr Parit, the party had been proactive in scrutinising the Pheu Thai-led administration and proposing bills that aligned with its election campaign promises. "Pushing for legal changes (to debate bills) is the PP's core mission as the main opposition party. The PP spokesman also downplayed the latest poll results showing the party's declining popularity, saying they could be an opportunity to galvanise the party into improving itself.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 05, 2024 09:37 UTC
Feeling stressed about the election? You're not alone
Many Americans report feeling stress and anxiety related to the heated presidential race. An American Psychological Association poll taken earlier this year found that 65% of U.S. adults always or often felt exhausted by politics and 55% always or often felt angry.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 05, 2024 05:08 UTC
Thailand eyes sending more workers to Singapore
Thai Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn,(Photo:bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Labour Ministry aims to export more Thai workers to Singapore, especially in the shipyard sector. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who recently visited Singapore, said on November 3 that nearly 4,000 Thais are working in Singapore. They are mainly in construction, production workers, welders, flight attendants, labourers, electronic parts production workers, pipe assemblers, and general workers. According to him, Singapore is actively seeking more welders in shipbuilding, skilled workers in electronics manufacturing, and experienced construction workers. The Labour Ministry of Thailand views labour export as an essential policy to enhance the skills of Thai workers abroad while bringing foreign currencies back to Thailand./.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 04, 2024 19:29 UTC
Thailand’s SCG halts operations at $5.4bn Vietnam petrochemical complex
Thailand’s SCG halts operations at $5.4bn Vietnam petrochemical complexSCG's Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP) complex project in Vietnam. LSP, which commenced commercial operations in Vietnam's southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on Sept 30, is the first integrated petrochemical complex in Vietnam and produces polyethylene, polypropylene and basic chemicals. In an interview with Reuters last year, SCG representatives said the complex's capacity would reach 1.3 million to 1.5 million tonnes. Total demand for Vietnam was about 3.3 million tonnes of both polyethylene and polypropylene combined, it said at the time. Last week, SCG also announced another $700 million investment in the Vietnamese complex for storage of ethane feedstock.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 04, 2024 14:00 UTC