State revenue collection beats quarterly target by B1.62bn
State revenue collection beats quarterly target by B1.62bnFiscal Policy Office director-general Pornchai ThiravejaThe government's revenue collection for the first three months of fiscal 2024 exceeded its target by 0.3%, or 1.62 billion baht, says Fiscal Policy Office director-general Pornchai Thiraveja. Revenue collection was lower than the previous year due to special revenue in the revenue base of the previous year. Excluding special revenue of 36.2 billion baht from the base of the previous year, revenue collection was 3.3% higher than the same period of last year. When combined with a deficit outside the budget framework of 112 billion baht, the budget deficit increased to 708 billion baht. The government seeks to borrow 624 billion baht to deal with the budget deficit, which has been reduced to 84 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2024 12:26 UTC
Govt hopes for visa-free accords with Schengen states, India
Govt hopes for visa-free accords with Schengen states, IndiaPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters at Government House on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The government is hoping for visa-free travel agreements with the Schengen-visa states of Europe and with India, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday. He said Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara was working on the Schengen states visa-free agreement, but it would take time. Thailand was not a conflicting party of any of the Schengen area states, the prime minister said. I confirm that all parties are doing their best to achieve it," the prime minister said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2024 15:53 UTC
Bangkok Post - Civilians the target
Civilians the targetRe: "This must stop" (PostBag, Feb 10) & "Settler colonialism for the sincere", (Opinion, Feb 9). Mr Pita is a candidate for prime minister of Thailand, and Ms Tantawan a political activist, who is still a student and a minor. Now, most observers are positive Mr Pita has failed in his obligations to the court, and the evidence seems overwhelming. Regarding the letter written by S de Jong, after further contact with Thai Airways about "sky-high prices," I found the official price which Thai Airways charges Europe to Bangkok is $70/kg. I also inquired about how these prices were set by Thai Airways compared to other international carriers, I await their reply.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2024 12:28 UTC
Rally against Thaksin's release, warning of bigger protests
Rally against Thaksin's release, warning of bigger protestsPichit Chaimongkol, leader of the Students and Peoples Network for Thailand Reform, with a letter opposing the release of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra outside the Justice Ministry on Monday. (Photo: Students and the People’s Network for Thailand Reform Facebook account)A small group of protesters gathered outside the Justice Ministry on Monday opposing the expected release of Thaksin Shinawatra from prison without having spent a day behind bars. "Thaksin is only a prisoner in name," Pichit Chaimongkol, leader of the Students and Peoples Network for Thailand Reform, declared - to cheers from other demonstrators and some spectators. However, Mr Pichit predicted their number would grow over time, as more people stood up to show their opposition to the privileged treatment accorded Thaksin. Thaksin has been staying on the 14th floor of a wing of the Police General Hospital, ostensibly for treatment for serious illness.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2024 09:05 UTC
Bangkok Post - Give up already, Srettha
Give up already, SretthaRe: "PT rebuffs wallet warning," (BP, Feb 9), "NACC says policy, other risks abound," (BP, Feb 8), & "Soft or hard landing for Thai economy? The Bank of Thailand forecasts that 2023's GDP rise of 2.4% will be bested by 2024's figure of 3.2%. The World Bank headlined, "Thai Economy to recover in 2024, driven by tourism, exports recovery", with GDP growth forecasts of 2.5% (2023) and 3.2% (2024). Even Srettha's Financial Policy Office forecasts an improved economy, rising from 2.7% (2023) to 3.2% (2024). Also, Srettha refuses to present his economic model's critical assumptions for review.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 11, 2024 11:45 UTC
Pakistan army chief asks politicians to show ‘maturity’
(Photo: Reuters)ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s army chief told feuding politicians on Saturday to show “maturity and unity” after an election failed to produce a clear winner, leaving the military’s favoured party seeking to cobble together a coalition in order to rule. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 71 seats, while the Pakistan People’s Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, got 53. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron cited “serious concerns” that raised questions “about the fairness and lack of inclusivity of the elections”. Concerns arose after mobile internet services were shut down across most of the country on polling day, for what authorities called security reasons. Pakistan’s foreign office countered the international criticisms on Saturday, saying they ignore the “undeniable fact” of Pakistan conducting elections successfully.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2024 19:33 UTC
Bangkok Post - Buri Ram is ablaze
The debate about the rising temperature of the Earth has nothing to do with being "woke" or anything similar. The three main gases which affect the rising of the temperature are CO2, methane and water vapour. Also, to claim that some are working to get zero CO2 is illogical. Besides, to talk about zero CO2 in the air is unscientific because nature releases a lot every day -- ie from materials rotting. That said, zero CO2 is an impossibility, and no scientist has ever wanted it.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2024 12:47 UTC
Round 25 bidding 'by end of the year'
The Erawan gas field in the Gulf of Thailand, operated by PTTEP. The auction, also known as the Round 25 auction, will cover seven blocks in the Northeast and two in the Central region. Last year, the department awarded licences to explore and produce petroleum at three blocks in the Gulf to Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production Co and PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP), following the conclusion of Round 24 bidding, held in 2022. In 2023, the total petroleum production in Thailand increased slightly by 1% year-on-year to 562,888 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOED). "Petroleum production in the country already passed its peak production period several years ago.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2024 11:15 UTC
Thai Airways orders 45 Boeing 787s plus options: sources
Thai Airways orders 45 Boeing 787s plus options: sourcesThai Airways has placed a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, with options potentially boosting the size of the deal to around 80 aircraft as it serves rising international travel demand, industry sources said. The deal, to be formally unveiled later this month, is already reflected in Boeing's published order backlog as a contract for 45 planes with an undisclosed customer, they said. Boeing declined comment and referred questions to the airline, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 08, 2024 20:34 UTC
BWH Hotels looks to Asia-Pacific
BWH Hotels looks to Asia-PacificMr Berrivin said that BWH Hotels is currently operating 19 hotels in Thailand. BWH Hotels, the operator of Best Western Hotels and Resorts, will focus on intraregional guests for its properties in Asia and Thailand this year, as ongoing geopolitical tensions have hampered long-haul travel, while targeting 16-20 new hotels in the region. "We need to focus on Asia-Pacific until the global situation stabilises," said Olivier Berrivin, vice-president for APAC at BWH Hotels. At present, BWH Hotels operates over 200 hotels in the region, of which 19 are in Thailand. BWH Hotels aims to sign at least 34 hotels in Asia this year.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 07, 2024 11:49 UTC
Bangkok Post - Sky-high prices
Sky-high pricesRe: "Official predicts THAI can relist on the SET in 2025", (Business, Feb 5). I have read an article suggesting that Thai Airways is going forward with their plans to get back to the position they were in before the Covid epidemic. Having just come to Thailand this month, I can see why they are beginning to get on their feet. I was charged £735.36 (33,060 baht) for a 20kg suitcase from London to Bangkok when most airlines charge between £50 and £100 (2,248 to 4,500 baht) for this service. At this rate, they should be able to pay the company debt back rapidly with a little help from the all-paying tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 07, 2024 04:10 UTC
Bangkok Post - Follow the science
Follow the scienceRe: "Don't fault African nations for producing more oil", (Opinion, Feb 2). As there is no mention of science but only repetition of rhetoric, one must assume the writing refers to the political climate change allegedly caused by carbon dioxide, CO2 emitted by fossil fuels. Zero CO2 intended by the elite globalists at the WEF would mean no food to eat and no oxygen to breathe. Our greatest fear is not the political climate change caused by burning fossil fuels but the lack of food and oxygen with zero CO2. Sri Lanka has since defaulted on all its debt -- plunging the country into disastrous economic conditions and ballooning poverty among its citizens.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2024 11:40 UTC
China gives Australian writer suspended death sentence
A Beijing court on Monday (February 5) handed Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence on espionage charges, threatening a recent rebound in bilateral ties that followed several years of strained relations between Beijing and Canberra.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2024 08:26 UTC
London reacts to King Charles' cancer diagnosis
Londoners on Monday (February 5) evening said they were shocked and saddened to hear about King Charles' cancer diagnosis. "My thoughts are with him, with the family," said Musu Kaikai, a political officer with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2024 07:22 UTC
Cambodian PM to visit, disputed border oil reserves on agenda
Cambodian PM to visit, disputed border oil reserves on agendaCambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, front right, accompanies Srettha Thavisin from Phnom Penh International Airport after the Thai prime minister arrived there on Sept 28 last year. He will meet with Prime MInister Srettha Thavisin at Government House. The Foreign Ministry and Government House on Monday announced the one-day visit by the Cambodian prime minister, with expansion of a wide range of cooperation on the agenda - from border issues to transport, trade and investment. The previous government of prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also tried to end the impasse on the issue, but there was no progress. One official believed joint development would be impossible as long as the two countries were adamant the marine border must be settled first.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2024 05:55 UTC