Amid rising cost of living, household debt hits highest level in 14 years
He said the indebtedness was caused by salaries not being enough to cope with the cost of living and increasing prices of products. Those who already have debts have to be careful when spending and repaying the debt. He said workers are requesting the government to increase wages to keep pace with the current cost of living. They believe the current wage is too low when compared to the increasing cost of living. They might lack the liquidity to increase the wages and may have to reduce the workforce instead.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 29, 2022 12:12 UTC
Travel subsidy schemes to be extended by authorities
Travel subsidy schemes to be extended by authoritiesA man rides a horse at Cha-am beach in Phetchaburi province on Dec 25, 2021. Total expenditure from this phase was 8.4 billion baht, of which 7.1 billion baht was for hotel rooms, 1.25 billion baht for food and drink via vouchers, and the remainder for air tickets. Meanwhile, the tour subsidy programme which ends in April still has 131,415 remaining privileges, prompting tour operators to ask for an extension until the end of the year. There are expected to be 52.7 million domestic trips in the first half of this year, generating 240 billion baht. The Tourism and Sports Ministry's target for 2022 is 160 million domestic trips generating 656 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 29, 2022 10:23 UTC
Marriott Bonvoy celebrates the joy of gastronomy in Thailand with two-month food festival
And this is just the start! More hotels and resorts will be rolling out their exclusive offers in the coming weeks, creating a nationwide compendium of culinary promotions and perks. With plenty of affordable options for local residents, dining out in Thailand has never been more rewarding! Eat Out with Marriott Bonvoy is available exclusively to Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information about Eat Out with Marriott Bonvoy and to book your table in Thailand, please visit http://restaurants.marriottbonvoy.com/th.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 29, 2022 09:46 UTC
Diesel price cap to rise on Sunday
Diesel price cap to rise on SundayThe committee managing the Oil Fuel Fund yesterday approved a proposal to raise the diesel price cap from 30 baht per litre to 32 baht from Sunday, prompting a transport association to threaten to raise their service fees by 20%. As well as raising the price cap, the Energy Ministry, Oil Fuel Fund Office and other organisations will keep a close watch on global oil prices and make a weekly assessment on whether the price cap needs to be raised further, energy permanent secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said. If so, the diesel cap will climb by no more than 1 baht a week, while the new ceiling of the price cap will become 35 baht per litre despite the actual price of diesel already being well over 40 baht per litre, he said. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, implored people to understand the need to raise the diesel price cap, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. Loans sought previously to also subsidise diesel prices have already been used up as well, said Gen Prayut, adding the government has been dedicating resources to supporting the diesel price subsidy because it is a major cost of consumer products and services.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 29, 2022 07:15 UTC
Slumping baht expected to test key level of 34.50/dollar on Friday
Poon forecast the baht would fluctuate and likely test the resistance level of 34.50. However, he did not expect it to drop much below 34.50 as risk-on market factors would support the currency. He said the generally risk-averse market coupled with the Covid-19 situation in China could add downward pressure on the baht. The Thai currency is also being squeezed by dividend transactions and gold purchases, with investors buying more of the precious metal as the price drops. However, foreign investors are currently making net purchases in the Thai stock market, meaning the baht may not breach the key resistance level, Poon added.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 29, 2022 03:36 UTC
New Covid cases steady at 14,437 Thursday, 127 more deaths
New Covid cases steady at 14,437 Thursday, 127 more deathsA child shows a V sign during his Covid-19 vaccination at the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The country registered 127 more Covid-19 fatalities and 14,437 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Thursday morning. The South had nine deaths - two each in Surat Thani, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat and one each in Ranong, Satun and Pattani. Since the pandemic started in early 2020, there have been 4,224,008 Covid-19 cases, including 2,000,573 this year, with 4,036,969 complete recoveries to date. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 657,233 in 24 hours to 511.54 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 28, 2022 18:18 UTC
Thailand Pass to end on June 1
(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The cancellation of Thailand Pass registration is expected to take place on June 1, with tourists using their TM6 immigration form for vaccine declaration, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry. After the Test and Go scheme is scrapped from May 1, the removal of Thailand Pass will create a more seamless travel experience and stimulate more travel to the country, said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. He said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul already agreed to terminate the Thailand Pass scheme. Eliminating Thailand Pass means Thai embassies and consulates can reduce their workload, as they worked to help approve the required documents. Tourists might be required to complete their vaccination record on the TM6 immigration form upon arrival, with immigration officers responsible for screening the form or vaccine passport, said Mr Phiphat.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 28, 2022 11:17 UTC
Prologue to the past
On the 1st floor, visitors have a chance to see a replica of eight iconic ancient stone tools found by van Heekeren in 1943, thanks to advanced 3D laser scanning technology. The Ban Kao people were known for their three-legged clay pots and burial jars. The ancient Ban Kao civilisation is known for its three-legged clay pots, burial jars and other potteries in various designs that were used in everyday life and burial rituals. The 3rd floor is devoted to the Ban Kao civilisation and the western region in the Iron Age. Ban Kao National Museum is in Muang Kanchanaburi district, Kanchanaburi.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 28, 2022 10:23 UTC
FPO slashes growth on energy outlook
FPO slashes growth on energy outlookKhao San Road appears empty this month as the FPO downgraded its 2022 economic growth forecast to an average of 3.5% amid global uncertainties. Arnun ChonmahatrakoolThe Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has downgraded its 2022 economic growth forecast to an average of 3.5% from 4.0%, mainly because of the Russia-Ukraine war and its effect on domestic energy prices, says FPO director Pornchai Thiraveja. He said the FPO expects economic growth to be in a range of 3-4%, compared with a previous range in January of 3.5-4.5%. In addition, the FPO cut its forecast for the economic growth of 15 Thai trade partners to 4% this year, down from 4.4% in January. The FPO upgraded its forecast for export growth this year to 6%, in a range of 5.5-6.5%, from the previous projection of 3.6%.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 28, 2022 10:10 UTC
No approval yet for hike in retail prices of instant noodles: Jurin
The meeting was held on Thursday at the Dusit Thani Laguna Hotel in Thalang district. Jurin said Thailand was hosting the fourth meeting, which was crucial for establishing trade and economic ties between Thailand and Bhutan. Jurin said Bhutan could be a new export market for Thailand and tourists from Bhutan could also help boost the country’s economy. Jurin said he would also preside over the opening of the E-Sport competition held by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) on Friday. The deputy prime minister added that he would also represent the Cabinet to hand over a budget to the Phuket PAO for starting a sufficiency housing project, or repairing homes of underprivileged people in the island province.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 28, 2022 08:53 UTC
GULF wins 4 prestigious awards from World HRD Congress 2022, reiterating best-in-class HR management
The achievement reflects GULF’s strong organizational management and excellence in human resources management. The four human resources (HR) awards include: the Award for Career Fairs, Campus Recruitment Global from the HR Excellence Awards 2022, awarded for GULF’s consistent work with universities to raise brand awareness and invite university students to explore the corporate culture and career opportunities at GULF in order to attract new talent; the Best Learning & Development Strategy award and the Best Employee Engagement in B2B Sector award from the Employee Engagement Leadership Awards, which, respectively, reiterates GULF’s focus on developing employees’ skills to enhance their potential as well as retain talent within the organization for sustainable development and demonstrates GULF’s excellence in developing the employee experience and engagement; and the Best Use of Technology in HR from the HR Tech Conference & Awards, which reflects GULF’s success in implementing technology to promote effective HR management.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 28, 2022 08:53 UTC
Heirs of the Phornprapha and Praneenij families invest 120MB to make Thailand the cannabis hub of Asean
This is to make Thailand the cannabis hub of Asean. “Our goal is to be the leader in the cannabis industry and produce the finest-quality CBD hemp flowers to meet international standards. A perpetual harvesting technique has been applied to improve harvest management for the supply chain and improve the quality of CBD hemp flowers. To achieve its goal, the company will work with partners to build a sustainable market for the cannabis industry in terms of medical products, tourism and exports. After cannabis products have been made widely available in the local market and fpr export, together with the finest quality floral biomass and clones, this will encourage growth of over 100%.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 28, 2022 07:01 UTC
Energy Ministry to announce new diesel price structure today as Bt30 price cap ends
The Energy Ministry decided to end the diesel price cap at THB30 per litre on April 30 as the Fuel Fund Executive Committee is running out of cash reserves. Currently, the real market price of diesel oil is about THB40 per litre, a source from the Energy Ministry said. The source said the price is expected to be THB32 per litre when the global diesel price is about US$145 per barrel. The source added that the new price structure would cap diesel price at THB35 per litre. The source said new diesel prices will be announced every week until it reaches the cap of THB35 per litre.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 28, 2022 06:42 UTC
URC Thailand receives Good Environmental Governance Award 2021 from Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand
URC (Thailand) Co., Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of Jack’n Jill brand snack products, recently won the Good Environmental Governance Award 2021, presented by Dr. Veeris Ammarapala, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, for two of the company’s facilities located at Samut Sakhon Industrial Estate in Samut Sakhon Province. Mr. Wattawut Ueaphumirat (left), Integrated Supply Chain Director, URC (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Mr. Witoon Ekpiriyamont (right), Environment Health and Safety Manager, showcased the Good Environmental Governance Award 2021. Mr. Wattawut Ueaphumirat, Integrated Supply Chain Director of URC (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “Winning the Good Environmental Governance Award 2021 is meaningful to us at URC Thailand as it recognizes the company's excellent business conduct in all aspects of operations. Two of these awards have been given to two URC Thailand plants, plant 4, and 6, both of which are located in Samut Sakhon Industrial Estate. Prior to this, URC Thailand has also been awarded the Good Environmental Governance Award for Plants 1, and 3 in 2018.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 27, 2022 09:02 UTC
New NBTC board sets three-point plan to consider planned True-DTAC merger
Academics and consumer protection groups have called on the previous NBTC to wait for the new board to consider the deal. As a first measure, the meeting resolved to set up four panels to consider the issue, Trairat said. A third measure will see the NBTC assign its working panels and advisory committees both in the country and abroad to study possible impacts of the merger, Trairat said. “The NBTC will carefully and comprehensively study the merger plan and it will allow public participation in the study,” Trairat vowed. “It will also study legal technicalities and both negative and positive impacts by taking into account the interest of the public and the telecom industry.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 27, 2022 07:57 UTC