Myanmar junta wants peace talks with ethnic rebels
Myanmar junta wants peace talks with ethnic rebelsThis picture taken on April 15, 2022, shows members of the "Peacock Generation" activist troupe, some of whom are dressed as part of the "People's Defence Forces" (PDF), waving Yangon Student Union flags during a traditional "Thangyat" performance in Kayin state. (Photo: AFP)Myanmar's junta chief on Friday called for face-to-face peace talks with the country's established ethnic rebel groups, as the military struggles to crush newer anti-junta militias that have sprung up to fight the coup. Myanmar has about 20 ethnic rebel armies -- many of which control swathes of remote border territory -- that have fought each other and the military for decades over the drug trade, natural resources and autonomy. The call comes amid daily clashes between junta troops and PDF groups, some of which are fighting alongside ethnic rebels in border areas. Last month, Min Aung Hlaing vowed the military would "annihilate" PDF forces in a speech at the annual Armed Forces Day parade, which was attended by representatives from several ethnic rebel groups.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2022 21:36 UTC
No Covid tests on arrival for vaccinated travellers from May 1
Controls on travellers from overseas will be further relaxed on May 1, with the end of the Test & Go process. Vaccinated visitors will not be tested for Covid-19 on arrival anymore. Unvaccinated travellers would be welcomed if they presented proof of a negative RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before their trip. For arrivals by land, visitors who intend to stay no longer than two days must be fully vaccinated and pass self-antigen tests. For visitors who intend to stay longer, vaccinated travellers would not be quarantined if they pass antigen tests, while unvaccinated travellers would be quarantined for five days.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2022 21:32 UTC
Arkhom says focus is fiscal discipline
Arkhom says focus is fiscal disciplineFinance Minister Arkhom TermpittayapaisithThe government is focusing on maintaining financial and fiscal discipline after undertaking massive borrowing, says Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. Thailand is accelerating the disbursement of investment budget and focusing on maintaining fiscal discipline, said Mr Arkhom. The government still has room to borrow the remaining 70 billion baht under the second emergency loan decree, which allotted a total of 500 billion baht to mitigate the impact of the prolonged pandemic. Most of the revenue was contributed by the Revenue Department, which collected 853 billion baht for the period, up 15.6% year-on-year. The Excise Department collected net revenue of 276 billion baht, down 1.8% year-on-year and 5.8% less than had been estimated.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2022 10:01 UTC
Observers dismiss speculation of political 'incident'
This "incident", observers said, could be a House dissolution, a snap election or the PM's resignation. "I haven't picked up any signs of a looming political accident." Meanwhile, key politicians have brushed aside speculation about an impending political accident. "I haven't picked up any signs of a looming political accident. Chief government whip Nirote Sunthornlekha dismissed talks of a political accident, saying it will only scare away investors.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2022 06:07 UTC
Thailand gets 200,000 doses of India-made Covovax under Quad pact
This is the second consignment of vaccines India has provided under the Quad partnership after delivering its first one to Cambodia on April 12. The vaccines have been supplied in line with Indian PM Narendra Modi’s promise to donate 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi made the commitment at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Washington on September 24, 2021. The vaccine partnership was announced by the Quad leaders at their first summit on March 12, 2021, to leverage collective strength to ensure equitable access to safe and effective vaccines.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 22, 2022 05:50 UTC
Biggest gold bullion now worth $17m
Biggest gold bullion now worth $17mThe 250-kilogramme gold bar is recognised as the world's largest by Guiness World Records in 2005. The 250-kilogramme gold bar is exhibited at the Toi Gold Mine theme park in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. It was smelted by the park operator's parent company in 2005, and Guinness World Records certified it the world's largest in the same year. As of Wednesday, one gram of gold was worth 8,969 yen including tax, according to gold bar manufacturer Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. The theme park on the former site introduces visitors to the mine's history and offers them the chance to explore some of its tunnels and pan for gold.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2022 05:35 UTC
Schools can open if all infection curbing measures in place: govt
“Schools planning to hold classes onsite or using a mixture of online and onsite learning must implement Covid-19 preventive measures as suggested by the Public Health Ministry,” he said. “The Education Ministry is also tasked with monitoring the situation closely to prevent cluster cases on campus.”Thanakorn added that schools allowing onsite classes should first pass the Thai Stop Covid+ standard and implement the DMHT-RC practices, which are distancing, mask-wearing, handwashing, temperature checking, reducing crowds and cleaning regularly. The Thai Stop Covid+ standard for schools stipulates that at least 85 per cent of teachers, staffers and students must be fully vaccinated. All personnel are also advised to take antigen tests regularly.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 22, 2022 03:40 UTC
Surat Thani's income surges on Songkran, full-moon party
Surat Thani's income surges on Songkran, full-moon partyTourists pack a full-moon party on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, last Saturday. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)SURAT THANI: About 83,000 visitors to this southern province during Songkran boosted tourism-related income by 84% year-on-year, with major attractions including a full-moon party. Nantawan Siripokapat, Surat Thani director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said on Thursday that from April 13 to 17 Surat Thai welcomed 83,105 visitors - 61,874 Thais and 21,231 foreigners. About 76% of the money was spent on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, she said. "Bigger speedboats were also used to take a large number of tourists to Koh Phangan to attend full-moon parties," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 21:41 UTC
Government can borrow another THB1.3 tn before it hits debt ceiling
The source said only THB70 billion are left of the loans borrowed under the THB500-billion borrowing decree. If the government wants to spend more than THB70 billion, the government would have to issue another decree to allow the borrowing. The government is allowed by the Budgetary Procedures Act BE 2561 (2018) to use advance payments with a ceiling of THB50 billion. The source added that the Finance Ministry has not yet confirmed whether it would launch the fifth phase of the Khon La Krueng (half-half) co-payment scheme. As of April 19, a total of THB60 billion has been spent under the fourth phase of the Khon La Krueng scheme by 26.26 million subsidy receivers.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 19:52 UTC
Roadshow seeks Japanese investors
Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The roadshow was arranged by the Board of Investment (BoI) and Thai trade representative chairman ML Chayotid Kridakorn. Mr Supattanapong said the government is set to inform Japanese investors about incentives for S-curve industries, in particular the latest perks for EVs approved by the cabinet in February. Duangjai Asawachintachit, BoI secretary-general, said a roadshow is appropriate at this point because the country already reopened to international travel. Thailand needs to speed up promoting investment to help stimulate the economy, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 11:22 UTC
Hopes high for QSNCC as Apec summit approaches
Hopes high for QSNCC as Apec summit approachesThe QSNCC has been selected by the government to host Apec 2022 at the end of this year. Management & Development expects the 2022 Apec summit in Thailand to draw at least 30,000 visitors to the new Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). In February, the QSNCC was selected by the government to host Apec 2022 at the end of this year. Without Apec 2022, the occupancy rate of QSNCC in the fourth quarter had already reached 70%, thanks to another two international trade fairs -- Food & Hospitality Thailand 2022 and Food Ingredients Asia 2022. There will be new shows like Asean Tools Expo 2022 during the first month of operation in September, followed by Thailand Smart City Expo 2022.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 05:42 UTC
Russia-Ukraine war, mass share sell-offs to hound SET Index
The SET Index closed at 1,680.35 on Wednesday, up 4.73 points or 0.28 per cent, thanks to mass buy-ups of bank shares on hopes that their first-quarter net profit would rise, Krungsri Securities added. Transactions totalled 69.12 billion baht with an index high of 1,685.90 and a low of 1,675.58.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 03:10 UTC
Health Ministry will ask CCSA to scrap Test & Go scheme
However, he said, all foreign visitors will still need to take an ATK test. He asked people to get a fourth dose of vaccine so the country can "progress" and "everyone can live normally". Currently, travellers who enter the country via the Test & Go scheme must be fully vaccinated. They have to register via Thailand Pass and book an approved SHA Extra+ or Alternate Quarantine hotel for the day of arrival. Additionally, all entrants are required to take a RT-PCR test on arrival.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 03:10 UTC
Uttama elected to lead new party, Somkid its PM candidate
Uttama elected to lead new party, Somkid its PM candidateUttama Savanayana addresses the annual general meeting of his Sarng Anacot Thai Party in Nonthaburi province on Wednesday. He immediately announced the party would nominate former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak as its candidate for prime minister at the coming general election. Sarng Anacot Thai (Building Thailand's Future) had its annual general meeting in Nonthaburi on Wednesday and members elected Mr Uttama as its leader. He also said he would invite Mr Somkid to be the prime ministerial candidate of his party. The party meeting on Wednesday also elected Sontirat Sontijirawong as secretary-general.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 20, 2022 21:13 UTC
Ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat meals whet Thai appetites
Phusit went on to say that the DITP has so far awarded 603 ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods from 54 companies with “Thai Select” certification to enable consumers and restaurant operators overseas to purchase quality Thai cuisine. He said the DITP would also certify seasonings for Thai foods, such as shrimp paste and fish sauce, as they are important ingredients and are very popular in international markets. “As many as 44 companies [24 of which are new] had requested Thai Select certification or renewal of the award for 364 products [189 new] from November 2 last year to January 26 this year to gain confidence among foreign consumers,” he said. “The Thai Select stamp not only certifies product quality but also proves the product was manufactured with ingredients, tastes and appearances in accordance with top Thai food standards.”
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 20, 2022 20:48 UTC