US warns Thai navy over HTMS Sukhothai salvage
(Photo: Royal Thai Navy)The United States has warned the Royal Thai Navy about the reported involvement of a Chinese company in a plan to salvage the US-built corvette HTMS Sukhothai. Jusmag, which oversees US military affairs in Thailand, first contacted the navy a month after the Sukhothai sank, seeking information about plans to recover the ship that entered service in 1987. Mr Chayaphon said that in the case of a salvage operation involving a US-built ship, the navy has an obligation to seek US government approval of the contractor. “If the US takes part in the salvage operation, it may delay the operation from its original schedule set in April,” said a source who asked not to be identified. The navy has found a bid winner that will salvage the warship with a budget of 199 million baht, pending approval.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 20, 2024 20:34 UTC
China widens South America trade highway
Over the last 10 years, Beijing has unseated the United States as the largest trade partner for South America, devouring its soybeans, corn and copper. The port, majority-owned by Chinese state-owned firm Cosco Shipping, will be the first controlled by China in South America. “The Chancay mega-port aims to turn Peru into a strategic commercial and port hub between South America and Asia,” Peru Trade Minister Juan Mathews Salazar told Reuters. But its widening trade lead — some $100 billion around South America in the most recent annual data — brings extra clout. Nonetheless, several of the people said China’s rise in South America was solidifying despite these headwinds, with the region desperate for financing and foreign currency.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 20, 2024 08:52 UTC
Bangkok Post - Better jobs for youths
China rules applyRe: "Of mice and lions", (PostBag, Jan 13) & "Generals halved by 2027", (BP, Jan 6). This is not completely correct as Germany, being part of the European Union, is bound by decisions made by that organisation. Indeed, this embargo has been in place for over 20 years and is well known to all involved in defence procurement. This means the RTN and China were aware of this regulation when negotiating the technical specifications for the proposed purchase. Overall, whilst your proposed solution seems simple and logical, it will not be as easy as you have suggested.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 20, 2024 03:35 UTC
How the Red Sea attacks affect shipping
Early on Jan 12, the US and UK launched a series of strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, aiming to safeguard shipping from attacks by the Iran-aligned movement. Why have they attacked ships in the Red Sea? The Red Sea's Bab al-Mandab strait is a crucial route for global trade, accounting for about 10% of the world's crude oil shipping. In response to the unrest in the Red Sea, the TNSC talked with various shipping lines and proposed five measures to assist importers and exporters:1. Maintain the original freight rates for goods pending transport, as per the agreed-upon shipping contracts.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 19, 2024 08:44 UTC
Bangkok Post - Bridge of disinterest
Bridge of disinterestRe: "PM in Davos for WEF", and "4 MFP MPs quit bridge panel", (BP, Jan 15). PM Srettha Thavisin deserves an "A" for effort in selling Thailand to the world's investors -- but his main offering, his Land Bridge, doesn't fill customer needs. Each VLCC carries up to 20,000,000 bbls, to be unloaded into oil tanker trucks at one end of the Land Bridge, transported to the other end, and loaded into a second oil carrier vessel. This, combined with the cost of the second tanker ship waiting at the other end of the canal, will wipe out any cost/time advantage the Land Bridge might have had over going through the Malacca Strait. It's small wonder that in the 20-plus years since Thaksin first proposed the Land Bridge, no major cargo carrier has even expressed interest.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 18, 2024 11:33 UTC
Samsung unveils Galaxy S24 smartphones with AI functions
Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest premium smartphones on Wednesday (January 17) that will have multiple AI functions - such as simultaneous translation of foreign language phone calls - in the company's latest push to challenge Apple.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 18, 2024 06:19 UTC
At least 22 killed in Suphan Buri fireworks explosion
Blast was second fatal incident at factory in Muang districtSmoke pours from a fireworks factory in Muang district of Suphan Buri following an explosion that claimed at least 17 lives on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo: Suphan Buri Highway Rescue Association)At least 22 people were killed on Wednesday in an explosion at a Suphan Buri fireworks factory where a blast a year ago left one person dead and three injured. Local residents said that about 20 workers had arrived to work at the factory in the morning and that they saw nobody come out after the explosion. There were reports that an explosion at the same factory in November 2022 killed one person. (Photo: Suphan Buri Highway Rescue Association)
Source:Bangkok Post
January 17, 2024 17:00 UTC
SET set to rebound as stimulus kicks in
SET set to rebound as stimulus kicks inMr Pichai, left, and Mr Sukit at a press conference. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index has the opportunity to rebound significantly, approaching 1,700 points this year as global interest rates stabilise and the government stimulates the domestic economy, says InnovestX Securities. Asian stock markets are more intriguing than leading markets such as the US and Europe due to their sustained high growth rates. Chief commercial officer Pichai Lertsupongkit said that when interest rates peak, bonds and gold tend to provide favourable returns, while stocks continue to exhibit volatility. Senior analyst Sutthichai Kumworachai said that in 2024 central banks worldwide, apart from Japan, are expected to start lowering interest rates.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 17, 2024 12:09 UTC
About 1,000 tourists trapped after China avalanches
Authorities in China were scaling up rescue and relief efforts on Tuesday (January 16) after around 1,000 tourists remain stranded in a remote holiday village following avalanches which hit China's northwestern Xinjiang region.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 17, 2024 04:41 UTC
Man arrested with over 1,400 illegally registered mobile SIM cards
Man arrested with over 1,400 illegally registered mobile SIM cardsA man has been arrested with over 1,400 illegally registered mobile phone SIM cards, which the police believed are linked to online gambling operations. He was found in possession of 1,456 SIM cards, which he said were obtained online. The arrest followed a police investigation into the Facebook account "Yotzar Mbk", which was selling mobile phone SIM cards with various networks. Chaiyot admitted the SIM cards were registered under other people's names. He has since been charged with procuring and selling mobile telephone services that were registered under other people's names.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 16, 2024 09:45 UTC
Central bank: Rate cuts not a quick fix for sluggish economy
Thailand's "uneven" economic recovery cannot be fixed only by adjusting interest rates, the central bank said on Monday, hitting back at the government's calls to ease monetary policy to help revive sluggish activity. "The fact that the economy has not recovered comprehensively, these are all things that monetary policy cannot easily solve as a quick fix because many things require treatment that matches the root of the problem," Mr Piti said. His comments came after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last week met with central bank officials to urge them to cut the policy rate, which is at a decade-high of 2.50%. The central bank left its policy rate unchanged in November after raising it by 200 basis points since August 2022 to curb inflation. On Monday, Mr Piti said falling prices do not indicate deflation and that negative inflation is being driven by government subsidies.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 15, 2024 11:30 UTC
Govt planning Muay Thai visa for foreigners
Govt planning Muay Thai visa for foreignersThe government plans to introduce a special visa for foreign tourists who want to visit Thailand to practise Muay Thai. Pimol Srivikorn, an adviser to the prime minister and chairman of the government's subcommittee for driving sports-related activities, said members decided at a meeting on Friday to promote Muay Thai as one of the country's so-called soft powers. With a tourist visa, a foreigner can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days but with a special visa for learning Muay Thai, they could stay for 90 days, he said. The government will set a standard level to be attained at the classes and also certification for Muay Thai teachers so the national fighting art can be accurately disseminated around the world, he said. In addition, the government will promote Muay Thai through the Now Muay Thai (www.nowmuaythai.com) website, a platform for foreigners interested in the sport, to choose courses around Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 14, 2024 13:55 UTC
Bangkok Post - Democracy riddle
Democracy riddleRe: "Déjà vu as charter court weighs MFP ban", (Opinion, Jan 12). In his article, Thitinan Pongsudhirak always questions whether the sovereignty of the country really belongs to Thais. After so many elections, dissolutions of parties, jailing of opposition leaders, activists, and military coups, the answer should be clear. To an outsider, all Thai institutions follow a well-orchestrated hierarchical tradition or a ritual of becoming subservient to the new masters. Hence, we should not waste time understanding Thai democracy.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 14, 2024 05:20 UTC