Sub swap proposal 'must stay in budget'
Sub swap proposal 'must stay in budget'The government's plan to procure alternative armaments instead of a submarine is reasonable as long as it keeps within budget, according to the House committee on national security. Mr Rangsiman made an appointment to see the minister last week. People would not object as long as a deal swap does not exceed the budget earmarked for the 16-billion-baht submarine. Mr Rangsiman said Mr Sutin assured him the government would handle the matter in a way that would minimise impacts on ties. Mr Rangsiman said the committee also raised the emergency decree imposed in the far South in discussions with Mr Sutin.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 31, 2023 11:43 UTC
Chiang Mai airport's new hours met with protests
Chiang Mai airport's new hours met with protestsChiang Mai airport is filled with tourists. Residents of tambon Mae Hia are stepping up their opposition to a plan to extend Chiang Mai International Airport's operating hours, saying many have yet to be compensated for damage caused by flights taking off and landing at the airport over the past five years. (File photo)CHIANG MAI: Residents of tambon Mae Hia are stepping up their opposition to a plan to extend Chiang Mai International Airport's operating hours, saying many have yet to be compensated for damage caused by flights taking off and landing at the airport over the past five years. At a meeting with Mae Hia residents on Monday, AoT representatives and officials from Chiang Mai airport promised to roll out a number of measures to address local residents' concerns. They also pledged to open a shop in the airport to showcase products made by local residents.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 31, 2023 04:17 UTC
Free trade deal between EU and Australia unravels
Free trade deal between EU and Australia unravelsFree trade talks with the EU have collapsed over market access for Australian agricultural produce such as beef. SYDNEY: A free trade deal between the European Union and Australia has unravelled despite early optimism, with Canberra saying on Monday it could take years until negotiations resume. Since 2018 the painstaking discussions have picked through everything from chemicals to cosmetics, but have repeatedly come unstuck over market access for Australian products such as beef and sheep meat. "I think it will be quite some time before any Australian government or any EU leadership is able to negotiate a deal. In July, the two parties failed to reach a deal during talks in Brussels, with Australia saying it had not been guaranteed "significant" access to the European market for its agricultural products.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 30, 2023 17:57 UTC
Control of goods related to weapons of mass destruction to be tightened
Control of goods related to weapons of mass destruction to be tightenedThe Commerce Ministry looks set to enforce measures to control goods related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and dual-use items (DUI), which are goods that have both commercial and military use. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the department is preparing to tighten measures to control products related to the proliferation of WMD and DUI that were previously voluntary. "Consequently, the department decided to intensify measures to control goods related to the proliferation of WMD and DUI. Thailand has a law to control WMD and related items, with enforcement starting in 2020. Mr Ronnarong said in the initial phase of implementing licensing measures, exporters may need time to learn the regulations and guidelines.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 30, 2023 16:27 UTC
Winter to begin 2 weeks late and be less cold than usual
Winter in Thailand officially arrives when the lowest temperature remains under 23 degrees Celsius. The lowest average temperature would be 21-22 degrees Celsius, compared with 19.9 degrees Celsius on average. In the North and the Northeast, the lowest temperatures this winter will be 9-10 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, it will be 17-18 degrees Celsius in Bangkok and 15-16 degrees Celsius in adjacent provinces. Cold weather and frost would be frequent on mountaintops and winter would end in late February, Mr Somkhuan said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 29, 2023 12:21 UTC
Most satisfied with PM Srettha's performance: poll
Most satisfied with PM Srettha's performance: pollPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin attends the High-Level Forum on “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Oct 18. The poll was conducted on Oct 24-25 by telephone interviews with 1,310 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education, occupations and incomes throughout the country to compile their opinions on Mr Srettha's visits to many countries after taking office. On the other side, 20.27% were not satisfied and 9.37% not satisfied at all. Asked whether they were satisfied with Mr Srettha's overall performance as prime minister during the past two months, a majority or 55.27% said "yes" - 36.87% moderately and 18.40% highly. On the other side, 26.87% were not satisfied and 13.74% not satisfied at all.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 29, 2023 12:21 UTC
1.5C goal on the line as countries gear up for key climate talks
1.5C goal on the line as countries gear up for key climate talksHeatwaves have scorched the planet in 2023. PARIS: Facing record-shattering temperatures and a geopolitical tinderbox, countries are scrambling to lay the groundwork for crucial UN climate talks next month tasked with salvaging global warming goals laid out in the landmark Paris deal. The 2015 deal aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era and preferably a safer 1.5C. The question is whether countries perceive climate change as a "collective threat", Alden Meyer of think tank E3G told AFP. An agreement to help vulnerable countries cope with climate "loss and damage" is also a key point of contention.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 29, 2023 07:15 UTC
New frigate a challenge for navy
New frigate a challenge for navy"There has been no order from the government or the Pheu Thai Party. — Sutin Klungsang, Defence MinisterThe government's decision to procure a Chinese-made frigate to replace a submarine the navy ordered in 2017 will pose a significant challenge for the navy, especially given that numerous items have been procured to support the submarine plan. A testing facility with storage for torpedoes and minesThe facility was completed in July with a budget of 129.3 million baht. Submarine communications, command and control systemA budget of 300 million baht was set aside for systems procurement, and 10.5 million baht was disbursed. It comprises radio comms equipment (70 million baht), to be completed next September, and strategic command and control equipment and system (230 million baht), procurement of which is expected to begin next year.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2023 01:50 UTC
'Hamas ready to free all Thais'
Each holding a Thai flag, Thai workers from Israel disembark at Don Mueang airport on Thursday morning. Iran is believed to be supporting Hamas with funds, weapons and training in its ongoing war with Israel. Mr Srettha also referred to the issue of Thai workers whose salaries have not been paid and who wish to return home. So far, the remains of 15 Thais have been returned to the kingdom, she said, adding that 4,771 Thais have returned to Thailand on 23 government-sponsored flights. Some countries have already informed Thailand that they wish to recruit Thai workers for fruit picking or farm jobs, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2023 23:22 UTC
Government advised to revive Chinese confidence
Government advised to revive Chinese confidenceTourists visit Wat Pho, or Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok on Oct 22. Atta president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said in the past few months outbound tour operators in China turned to selling tour packages to Singapore and Malaysia instead of Thailand because of low tourist confidence. He said while the number of tourists from tour groups was relatively small, if the government pushed this segment it could help restore confidence. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the TAT governor, said 4-4.4 million Chinese tourists are projected to arrive this year. She said the agency acknowledges it must do more to remove negative online content about Thai tourism, replacing it with good news about the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2023 20:06 UTC
The seeds of soft power
The seeds of soft power'Soft power" is becoming a new catchphrase in Thai society. The National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC) -- a national super board designed to promote the creative economy -- held its first meeting this week at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With many working groups, soft power projects coincide with various other goals. But this time, it is hoped that the government -- or the soft power super board -- define their objectives and cascade tasks in a way that prevents any redundancy. The soft power industry is also unlike the tech industry or modern agriculture.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2023 20:04 UTC
US auto workers union reaches preliminary deal with Ford
US auto workers union reaches preliminary deal with FordUAW President Shawn Fain, shown at a Chicago rally earlier this month, hailed a tentative agreement with Ford as an historic win. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK - The auto workers union in the United States reached a tentative agreement with Ford late Wednesday, a breakthrough in a 41-day stoppage on Detroit's "Big Three" car manufacturers. The deal, which rank-and-file workers must still approve in a vote, includes a 25% wage increase for hourly employees, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union said. "For months we've said that record profits mean record contracts," said UAW President Shawn Fain in a statement. But in a twist, the UAW said Ford workers would return to their shifts to apply pressure to GM and Stellantis.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2023 16:37 UTC
SET plummets for several reasons
Stock markets globally also dropped heavily as geopolitical anxiety intensified, said Pakorn Peetathawatchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The SET Index has declined 16% for the year to date and is one of the worst performers in the region, but the fundamentals of the Thai stock market remain solid, he added. “Like other markets, the Thai stock market was pressured by external factors,” said Mr Pakorn. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is preparing to lead a roadshow in Singapore next month to restore confidence among regional investors in the Thai stock market. Discussing a possible extension of SET trading hours, Mr Pakorn said the study was still at the public hearing stage and no conclusion has been reached.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2023 14:56 UTC
Tourist areas eyed for 4am closing of entertainment venues
Tourist areas eyed for 4am closing of entertainment venuesNeon lights illuminate Khao San Road, one of the popular tourist destinations in Bangkok. (Photo: Government House)The meeting agreed in principle for the Interior Ministry to formulate a ministerial regulation outlining criteria for local administrations in areas with tourism potential. The administrations could then submit requests for permission to allow entertainment venues to stay open until 4am. The Interior Ministry would consider the requests and grant permits based on the set criteria for each area, Ms Traisuree said. She said Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had acknowledged the agreement and had instructed concerned offices to draft the ministerial regulation.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2023 14:31 UTC
Tata sees short-term impact from conflict
Tata sees short-term impact from conflictSteel wire rods produced by Tata Steel Thailand (TSTH). TSTH believes the Israel-Hamas conflict could cause oil prices to fluctuate, affecting the operating costs of manufacturers. The Israel-Hamas conflict is expected to cause a short-term negative impact for the steel industry, which is experiencing a cyclical downturn, says Tata Steel Thailand Plc (TSTH), a unit of India's largest steelmaker. The Russia-Ukraine war caused an surge in global crude oil prices last year, driving up energy costs among steel factories. The quantity of steel wire rods from China continues to increase in Thailand and in other Asean member states, TSTH said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2023 03:55 UTC