Tourists killed when van hits truck
Tourists killed when van hits truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. (Photo: Phetkasem Chumphon rescue foundation via FM91 Trafficpro Facebook)Two Indian tourists were killed and five other people sustained severe injuries when a van they were travelling in rammed into the back of a truck in Chumphon on Saturday. Police, medics and rescue workers rushed to the scene and found a 10-wheel truck parked at a U-turn. The dead passengers were Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The truck moved to the right lane to make a U-turn, resulting in the van rear-ending it.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 11, 2023 17:19 UTC
The lungs of Bangkok
Realising the importance of urban trees, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and a network of green space organisations including the Urban Tree Network Association, Big Trees Group, We! Understand the systematic tree management process by the BMA through collaborative, ethical management practices. This aims to reduce instances of improper tree care in the future. Visit "Tree Clinic" booths where a team of professionals from the Department of Forestry and international experts will offer consultations on tree care. Visit rain trees at Benchakitti Park after joint rehabilitation by BMA arborists and staff.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 11, 2023 02:05 UTC
Anti-corruption body plans public hearing on govt's 10k plan
Anti-corruption body plans public hearing on govt's 10k planPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin elaborates on his digital wallet scheme at Government House on Nov 10. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is planning to hold a public hearing to gauge opinions about the government's handling of its 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme as part of the NACC's monitoring of this controversial project. Opinions of general members of the public and experts in relevant fields recorded during the hearing will be compiled for analysis, said Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the NACC. They included personnel from the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Department, the Comptroller General's Department, the Public Debt Management Office and other experts. But Mr Srettha said he was still confident the implementation of the scheme could begin in May as planned.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 10, 2023 13:08 UTC
70,000 migrants intercepted by Tunisia in 2023: official
70,000 migrants intercepted by Tunisia in 2023: officialA Libyan border guard gives water to a migrant during a rescue operation near the border with Tunisia. TUNIS - Close to 70,000 migrants were intercepted trying to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia to Italy this year, more than double the 2022 figure, the Tunisian National Guard told AFP on Saturday. The number intercepted by Tunisian authorities was 69,963 for the first 11 months of 2023, compared to 31,297 in the same period last year, according to data from the National Guard. Tunisia has been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs of "expelling" migrants to Libya and Algeria, which Tunisian authorities deny. Most of the intercepted migrants were caught on Tunisia's eastern coastline close to Sfax, which is only around 130 kilometres (80 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 09, 2023 23:09 UTC
Indian tourists killed when van rear-ends truck
Indian tourists killed when van rear-ends truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two Indian passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. Truck driver Kraisorn Klinsawang, 32, of Prachuap Khiri Khan, waited for police at the scene. The deceased passengers were identified as Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The impact caused the van driver to lose control, and the vehicle overturned and plunged into the roadside ditch. They plan to question the van driver, the injured passengers and the truck driver.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 09, 2023 21:07 UTC
10 things we expect to see next year
10 things we expect to see next yearWith 2024 just around the corner, we are taking the opportunity today to list 10 things that could impact the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year. The delay in the Thai government budget for fiscal 2024 will hurt domestic growth, especially in the first half of the year. After a severe economic deceleration (or recession) is seen in global growth, central banks (likely led by the Fed) should start to ease, cushioning overall economic activity. Following a stabilisation in growth, which we expect to happen around year-end 2024, the door should open for market recovery. Hence, we have set a year-end 2024 SET target of 1,550 points, which represents a forward price/earnings ratio of 17.9 times the forecast earnings per share (EPS) of 95.80 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 09, 2023 15:24 UTC
Looking for a place to hang your hat
Homa taps into taste for rented accommodation among younger generations, writes Kanana KatharangsipornHoma Cherngtalay is scheduled to open in January 2024. They're looking for more than just a place of comfort, but also a sense of community," he said. "Our properties offer a range of on-site services and activities for short- and long-term rent at an affordable price," said Mr Dotti. ISLAND ORIGINSThe roots of Homa's portfolio lie in Phuket with the development of Homa Phuket Town, involving an investment of 1.41 billion baht. "In Bangkok, access to mass transport is key, with a walkable distance of around 400-500 metres," said Mr Dotti.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 09, 2023 14:40 UTC
Eight Thai hostages remain in Gaza
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The number of Thais held hostage by Hamas in Gaza remains at eight after one missing Thai believed to have been among the hostages was found safe in Israel, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv reported that a Thai national who had gone missing in Israel had recently contacted relatives in Thailand to say he was safe, Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said on Thursday. Talks for the release of all Thai hostages were continuing, but the situation in Gaza was still critical. Earlier, the Thai embassy had reported that a total of 23 Thai hostages had been released in Gaza, with nine remaining in captivity. On Wednesday, the embassy found one Thai citizen who was earlier believed to be among nine remaining hostages.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 08, 2023 04:24 UTC
Democrat group targets Narapat
Democrat group targets NarapatChalermchai: Eyes party top jobA faction of MPs led by Dech-it Khaothong, a Democrat MP for Songkhla, tried to move against acting deputy leader Narapat Kaeothong's leadership bid as several MPs showed unwillingness to vote for him, a party source said on Wednesday. Chaichana Detdecho, acting deputy Democrat secretary-general, said a new party leader will be elected tomorrow following a leadership vacuum that has lasted for several months. "The Democrat Party is a political institution so every party member is given an equal chance to run as a candidate in the leadership contest," he said. "The party is not owned by any particular individual so no one knows in advance who will be elected as the new party leader," Mr Chaichana noted. He stressed that the new party leader must look to restore unity among party members and come up with policies to address the country's economic woes and push for decentralisation.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 08, 2023 04:03 UTC
Pisa results panic scholars
Pisa 2022 also included an assessment of young people's financial literacy, which was optional for countries and economies. Results for mathematics, reading and science were released on Tuesday and the results for creative thinking and financial literacy will be released in 2024. Mr Sompong said malnutrition and online game addictions among Thai students also have an adverse impact on their learning. Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob on Wednesday admitted Thai students had performed poorly in the latest Pisa assessment. "In the 2025 assessment, Thai student's rankings must improve.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 07, 2023 16:36 UTC
Cop uniform stunt probed
Cop uniform stunt probedA Chinese tourist wears a Thai police uniform. Pol Maj Gen Somporn Sajjapoj, deputy chief of and spokesman for the Police Education Bureau, said an inquiry was underway. Pol Capt Jumroon Chaisri, who is attached to the bureau, gave his uniform to the tourist to wear. A probe into the police captain's explanation would take 15-30 days, Pol Maj Gen Somporn said. Pol Capt Jumroon said he agreed to the arrangement without realising the pictures would later be posted on the internet.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 07, 2023 13:17 UTC
Putin lands in Abu Dhabi
Russian leader courts allies in Middle East but might not attend climate talks in DubaiPresident Vladimir Putin greets UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed at the airport in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Moscow is pressing its diplomatic push among energy-rich and influential monarchies in the Middle East. Isolated by the West over the Ukraine war, Putin is courting allies in the Middle East, where he will discuss oil, trade and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Putin was greeted on the runway by UAE officials, Russian television showed, before heading to the presidential palace under cavalry escort. Moscow is pressing its diplomatic push among energy-rich and influential Middle East countries, including with Saudi Arabia.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 07, 2023 00:42 UTC
PTTEP Boosts Emergency Response Preparedness in Collaboration
Bangkok, December 4, 2023 – PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) and PTTEP Energy Development Company Limited supported and joined Thailand Oil Spill Preparedness & Response Training and Workshop aimed to equip all relevant parties with effective response in case of emergency incidents. This year’s event follows the objective of preparing all parties for the 13th Thailand National Oil and Chemical Spill Response Exercise, scheduled to take place in 2024. This includes situation assessment, appropriate management methods, with an emphasis on collaborative efforts among relevant agencies in emergency management. The goal is to foster knowledge and understanding as well as preparedness for swift, appropriate and efficient responses. Realizing that adhering to maximum safety standards is imperative for the petroleum exploration and production business, PTTEP underlines safety standards in all work procedures to ensure efficiency, safety, and preparedness for emergency response in accordance with legal and international standards.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 06, 2023 11:47 UTC
Global slowdown threatens Thai growth
CGS-CIMB Securities (Thailand) said that it had cut the country's GDP growth forecast for 2023 to 2.5%, from 3.2%, but maintained the 2024 estimate at 4% on the back of expected export growth of 3.7%. "In order to fulfil our GDP growth forecast of 3.2% in 2023, fourth-quarter GDP growth needs to exceed 5% year-on-year, which we view as unachievable," said investment strategist Gun Hathaisattha. Looking forward to next year, he said CGS-CIMB has not ruled out the possibility of the global economy falling into recession as "high interest rates last longer than previously expected". As a result, there is a chance that the global economy faces a more severe slowdown than the market expected, said Mr Gun. Maybank Securities expects Thai GDP growth to rise to 3.6% in 2024, from 2.3% this year, and CPI inflation to accelerate to 1.8%, from 1.3% this year.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 06, 2023 06:59 UTC
Govt nod for 'CEO governors'
Provincial governors attend a meeting in Bangkok in 2017. (Bangkok Post file photo)The cabinet has agreed in principle to grant all provincial governors authority broadly equivalent to that of a company CEO, as part of the government's decentralisation policy. All provincial governors will be formally briefed on the exact scope of their new authority and how to execute their new duties in accordance with the decree, said the source. Mr Parit had also accused the Srettha administration of reneging on an earlier pledge to pilot elections for provincial governors in a select number of areas. Unlike 20 years ago when the Thai Rak Thai Party introduced this very same policy, provincial governors nowadays hold far less power, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 06, 2023 04:23 UTC