US looks into forced labour in auto parts
(Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON: Electric-vehicle batteries and other car parts are the latest products under scrutiny as part of Washington’s effort to stamp out US links to forced labour in Chinese supply chains, according to a document seen by Reuters, agency statistics and sources. When shipments are detained, CBP provides the importer with a list of examples of products from previous reviews and the kind of documentation required to prove they are not made with forced labour, CBP told Reuters. That document, a recent version of which was obtained by Reuters through a public records request, was updated between April and June of this year to include batteries, tyres, aluminium and steel, a CBP spokesperson said. “The timing of these changes does not reflect any specific changes in strategy or operations,” a CBP spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the list of eight product types was “not exhaustive”. The stepped-up focus on automakers follows a study by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, published in December, that said nearly every major automaker has exposure to products made with forced labour in Xinjiang.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2023 20:29 UTC
Small operators face high season staff woes
Small operators face high season staff woesAs the tourism sector remains buoyant, small operators are likely to face labour shortages during the high season as larger businesses offer more competitive salaries. Hotel spas have sufficient staff for the high season as they pay competitive wages based on higher service charges, as most of their guests are high-end customers. Mr Krod said the labour shortage is gradually easing as positive tourism sentiment encourages small operators to hire more skilled staff to prepare for the high season. Some may adjust their daily wage, for example increasing from 400 baht to 1,000 baht during the high season, she said. She said the average occupancy rate in Chiang Mai should grow marginally to 70-75% from 65% during the high season last year.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2023 03:13 UTC
PM vote doubts persist
But it remains to be seen whether the senators will also vote for him, Mr Yutthaporn said. If Mr Srettha is not elected during the vote, it is still not clear whether Pheu Thai will nominate Ms Paetongtarn. The matter was agreed upon by whips from the Senate and representatives of political parties who met with Mr Wan on Friday. Mr Srettha did not seek office in the May 14 election as a constituency or party-list MP. There are no rules specifically barring a non-MP from addressing a parliamentary meeting, Mr Wan said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2023 00:47 UTC
More Christian homes, churches vandalised in Pakistan
Roman Catholic nuns hold placards as they take part in a protest to condemn the attacks on churches in Pakistan, in Karachi on Friday. (Photo: AFP)LAHORE, Pakistan: More than 80 Christian homes and 19 churches in Pakistan were vandalised when a Muslim mob rampaged through the streets over alleged blasphemy this week, the head of Punjab provincial police said on Friday. On Friday, 3,200 churches were being guarded by police across Punjab province to provide reassurance to the Christian community, Anwar said. Homes in the Christian neighbourhood were ransacked, with their contents strewn all over the streets. Muslims living in the predominantly Christian area gave shelter to their neighbours and pinned Koranic verses to the doors of Christian homes to prevent them from being targeted, residents of both faiths told AFP.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2023 15:27 UTC
MFP firm on urging parliament to review Pita's renomination
MFP firm on urging parliament to review Pita's renominationMove Forward Party (MFP) MP Rangsiman Rome reaffirms that he will push for a motion for parliament to review its July 19 resolution rejecting Mr Pita’s renomination. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Move Forward Party (MFP) list-MP Rangsiman Rome stands firm that he will urge parliament to reconsider its decision to reject the renomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. Mr Rangsiman said on Friday that he will proceed with his motion for a new parliamentary review of the resolution passed on July 19. We must take extra caution when employing this issue (parliament’s resolution to reject Mr Pita’s renomination) as a precedent." On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the Ombudsman's petition related to the rejected renomination of Mr Pita.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2023 08:27 UTC
Thais among top 10 global freelance hires
Thai freelancers are among the top 10 globally in terms of hires via Freelancer.com, the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace. The number of new Thai users on the platform has grown from 7,000 to more than 11,500 over the last 12 months. The No.1 registered job for Thai freelancers is translation, followed by website design, website development, data entry and writing. The top countries hiring Thai freelancers are India, the US and Australia. Thai employers aren't necessarily hiring Thai freelancers, despite their high skills.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2023 21:36 UTC
Prayut's ex-party joins Pheu Thai alliance
United Thai Nation leader Pirapan Salirathvahibhaga (left) and Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew speak to reporters after earlier talks between the two parties on July 22 at Pheu Thai headquarters. Pheu Thai accepted the condition, he added. He denied that UTN was demanding the energy minister’s position from Pheu Thai. “Our 36 votes are ready to support the prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party. The structure of the Pheu Thai coalition would be announced by Monday next week, Mr Phumtham added.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2023 15:03 UTC
PM likely to pick new top cop
Ranked by the most senior, they are Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet and Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn. Pol Gen Roy, member of Class 40 at the Royal Police Cadet Academy, and Pol Gen Torsak, a graduate of Thammasat University's political science faculty, are both due to retire next year. Pol Gen Kittirat, member of Class 41, will retire in 2026, while Pol Gen Surachate, member of Class 47, has eight years before his mandatory retirement in 2031. He moved up as the CIB chief, and was named an assistant police chief prior to being promoted as deputy chief. Pol Gen Surachate said that with eight years to go before his retirement he is in no rush.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2023 02:01 UTC
Myanmar eyes surge in rice exports
(Photo: AFP)Myanmar expects its rice exports to surge in coming months as curbs on Indian sales and a spike in Thai and Vietnamese prices force buyers to seek other supply sources. Myanmar exported about 320,000 tonnes of Rice from April to July, earning just $138 million, according to data from the federation, after the government decided to prioritise selling higher-grade rice. The Indian curbs have pushed up the prices of rice from some of Myanmar’s regional competitors to 15-year highs. “We hope to take advantage, even though we’ll maintain our focus on exporting only higher-quality varieties,” Ye Min Aung said. Myanmar earned over $800 million from rice sales in each of the two previous fiscal years, according to the federation.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2023 17:03 UTC
Meeting on Thursday expected to set date for PM vote
Meeting on Thursday expected to set date for PM voteParliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha speaks to reporters. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)A meeting at the parliament on Thursday is expected to set a date for the next joint session to vote for a new prime minister. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the ex-officio parliament president, said before the scheduled decision on Wednesday that the parliament would call a meeting of legal experts on Thursday to discuss a date for the next parliamentary vote for a new prime minister. They filed their petitions with the court through the Ombudsman, complaining the parliament's rejection of Mr Pita's renomination affected their constitutional rights. Mr Wan delayed the prime ministerial vote on Aug 4 after the Constitutional Court postponed its ruling.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2023 11:48 UTC
Russian central bank hikes rates as rouble falters
Russian central bank hikes rates as rouble faltersRussia's central bank warned inflationary pressure was still rising. (Photo: AFP)MOSCOW: Russia's central bank on Tuesday hiked its key interest rate from 8.5 to 12 percent, after the rouble crashed to a more than 16-month low against the dollar. "This decision was taken in order to limit the risks to price stability," the central bank announced after an emergency meeting earlier in the day. "In the case of a strengthening of pro-inflation risks, an additional increase of the key rate is possible," it later said, in comments published by Russian news agencies. The bank is next scheduled to consider its key rate on September 15.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2023 12:08 UTC
Call for smooth gas production at Pailin
Call for smooth gas production at PailinThe Pailin gas block in the Gulf of Thailand. (Photo: Department of Mineral Fuels)PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) wants energy authorities to prevent any obstacles to continuing gas production in the Gulf of Thailand when a concession at the Pailin gas block ends in 2028. In 2018, gas production at Erawan averaged 1,280 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). The company managed to increase gas production to 400 MMSCFD in April, up from 200 MMSCFD earlier this year. Pailin is currently co-operated by PTTEP, which made a 60% investment in the gas production, and Chevron Thailand, with a 40% investment.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2023 11:51 UTC
Department plans to study a sodium tax
A sodium tax would be collected via a progressive rate, starting with processed food products such as instant noodles, snacks and frozen food. (Photo: Patipat Janthong)The Excise Department is planning a study of sodium tax collection measures after the success of the "sweet tax" on sugar-sweetened beverages implemented in 2017 to shift consumer and industry behaviour towards making healthier choices, says director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas. A sodium tax would be levied similarly to the tax on sugary beverages, increasing proportionally based on the level of sodium used, he said. The department plans to collaborate with the Public Health Ministry to jointly set the standards for daily sodium intake. Mr Ekniti said sweeteners are still excluded from the excise tax product categories, meaning the department is unable to collect tax from them.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2023 00:04 UTC
PM candidate faces vote uncertainty
Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavinsin arrives at the 15th polling station on Soi Sukhumvit 16 in Bangkok on May 14, 2023. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The Pheu Thai (PT) Party is confident its prime ministerial candidate will win endorsement from parliament in the next PM vote, a party source said. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Bhumjaithai Party, or Gen Prawit, may benefit from this situation. The "uncles" refer to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former UTN chief adviser and its prime ministerial candidate, and Gen Prawit. If the so-called uncle parties are part of the Pheu Thai-led government, Pheu Thai will lose credibility, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2023 23:35 UTC
Pheu Thai will nominate Srettha for PM
Mr Prasert said on Monday that key party figures had agreed and confirmed that Mr Srettha would be their candidate for prime minister. He dismissed speculation that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, another of the party's three registered candidates, could be nominated to the parliament instead of Mr Srettha. I believe that many senators will support the candidate of Pheu Thai," the party secretary-general said. "So, I am confident that Mr Srettha will be elected right away." The constitution requires a joint vote by the 500 House representatives and 250 senators to select the prime minister.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2023 22:17 UTC