Macau casino bids include surprise
People walk past Casino Lisboa in Macau. The new casino licences are expected to begin in 2023 and are crucial for the six incumbents to keep operating their multi-billion dollar properties. They have collectively invested some US$40 billion in Macau since casinos were liberalised more than 20 years ago. The bidding comes as Macau casinos have been slammed by ongoing Covid curbs and travel restrictions. Genting will still be able to operate its hotel resort even if it does not win a new casino licence, according to Macau laws.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 16, 2022 08:16 UTC
BoT maintains reserves remain solid
(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The stronger dollar has weakened the Bank of Thailand's international reserves, but the central bank says the country's external position and financial stability remain strong. The bank's foreign reserves declined to US$240 billion from $278 billion at the beginning of this year. The stronger dollar meant the valuation of multiple-currency assets in dollar terms declined, said the central bank. She said the Bank of Thailand's foreign reserves remain in solid condition at $240 billion, representing 48% of the country's GDP, with the total ranking 12th globally. Year-to-date foreign investors have bought around 160 billion baht of Thai assets -- more than 160 billion baht in stocks and small sales of around 700 million baht in bonds.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 15, 2022 23:29 UTC
Honda to realize carbon neutrality for all products
Electrification InitiativesIntroducing electric motorcycle models to meet wide-ranging customer needsAnticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. To fulfill such demand, Honda has been offering the Honda e: Business Bike series models and accelerating the global launch of business-use electric motorcycles. By fulfilling customer needs with highly efficient Monozukuri, Honda will continue to offer the joy of mobility with affordably-priced electric motorcycle models. Regarding the battery, a core component of electric vehicles, Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with an all-solid-state battery Honda is currently developing by making active use of its own resources. The company plans to begin its motorcycle battery sharing service this fall.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 15, 2022 11:19 UTC
Second reading of cannabis bill aborted due to 'too many additions'
“This is an unprecedented increase in new sections during the vetting of a bill. It would have been acceptable if only four or five sections had been added but it was unusual to see over 40 new sections added to the original draft,” Prasert said. He said the vetting panel had gone too far to change the original draft to indirectly allow recreational use of ganja. “Several sides have voiced opposition to the vetted draft. Most Move Forward MPs voted to send the draft back to the vetting panel.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 15, 2022 11:19 UTC
Hotel rates low despite surging costs
Hotel rates low despite surging costsHotels are struggling to raise room rates amid intense competition in the industry, despite pressure from higher operational costs due to surging electricity bills and wages. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said those two expenditures usually account for the largest costs in hotels’ operations. “Operational cost is surging though the number of guests is still modest,” she said. Moreover, 61% of hotel operators remain concerned about the number of international tourists this year, which could be lower than expected. “In terms of energy management, small hotels that have individual air control in each room can manage the cost better.”
Source:Bangkok Post
September 15, 2022 04:09 UTC
BAREIT fund begins trade on the SET
BA Airport Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (BAREIT) invests in Samui airport leasehold properties, making it the first trust in Thailand to invest in airport properties. During 2010-2019, Samui airport received a total of 2.6 million tourists and more than 30,000 total flights annually. The REIT receives income from the sublease of assets to Bangkok Airport Management Co Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Bangkok Airways. Leelapat Leelahavanich, managing director of Bangkok REIT Management, said BAREIT made its first investment in leasehold properties used to operate Samui airport. This makes it one of the most attractive rates of return for a REIT listed on the SET, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 15, 2022 01:11 UTC
'Just doing my job,' says record-setting Nepali climber
The Nepali climber's summit of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II (8,035 metres) last month completed his unprecedented double ascent of the eight-thousanders -- as the 14 peaks are collectively known. By 2019, he had double summits on half of the 14 peaks, and a foreign climber suggested he try to complete the set. - Everest x 7 -Long in the shadows as supporters of their paying foreign customers -- it costs more than US$45,000 to climb Everest -- Nepali mountaineers are slowly being recognised in their own right. In recent years, several films have helped shine a light on the key role of Nepali climbers, including "Sherpa" which was released in 2015, and more recently "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible". Sherpa has climbed Everest seven times and has triple ascents on another four of the 14 peaks.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 14, 2022 21:35 UTC
House votes down bill on cannabis and hemp
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul samples cannabis tea at an exhibition at the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi province in May 2022. Before the House meeting commenced, the Democrat Party said it wanted the bill withdrawn and was threatening to vote against it if the House proceeds with it. Mr Satit said the Democrat Party wanted the Ministry of Public Health to review the announcement and reinstate cannabis as a narcotic. "If the House insists in continuing with the deliberation of the bill, the Democrat Party would vote against it," Mr Satit said. As for the Cannabis and Hemp Bill, it had been vetted by a House committee and was about to be forwarded to the House for consideration in the second reading.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 14, 2022 14:49 UTC
Council of State meets to consider telecom watchdog’s power over True-Dtac merger
The NBTC has deferred its decision on the planned True-Dtac merger pending legal advice from the Council of State. The meeting came after a second request by the NBTC for the council to interpret its power to regulate the merger deal. The first request was rejected by the Council of State on grounds that the NBTC did have the power according to law but also that the watchdog was being sued in the Central Administrative Court. The lawsuit, which was filed by Napat Winitchaikul, a member of a committee overseeing the telecoms watchdog, asked the court to order the NBTC to nullify its regulations on telecom mergers. The Central Administrative Court rejected the lawsuit on grounds that the NBTC had power to halt any merger it deemed as a threat to fair competition.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 14, 2022 07:03 UTC
MEA offers to move electrical meters for free in flood-prone areas
MEA director of Corporate Communications Jumpote Himacharoen said on Tuesday that electricity users should survey their meters, outlets and appliances during the rainy season. “Contact MEA Call Centre 1130 and we will come move the meters for free.”The MEA has dispatched technicians to check all electrical meters on power poles in metropolitan areas to make sure they are working properly and are safe from flood, Jumpote said. The MEA also has officers on standby around the clock to provide emergency services in case of blackout or electrical malfunctions at key locations such as water drainage facilities, drainage tunnels and underground walkways, he said. He also called on owners of billboards to check the structural integrity of the billboards and make sure the foundation is secure so it can withstand strong winds. “Please follow the latest updates on weather and the flood situation from related authorities and make sure to prepare accordingly,” he added.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 14, 2022 06:12 UTC
Thailand, Cambodia to Share 500 Million Barrels of Oil
An overlapping claim area (OCA) covering 26,000 sq km that is estimated to contain up to 500 million barrels of oil and gas deposits will be the subject of talks between Thailand and Cambodia. As part of its efforts to promote energy independence, the government is holding energy negotiations with neighboring countries such as Cambodia and calling for bids for petroleum concessions. A committee has been formed to investigate ways to jointly develop the 5 million barrels of oil and the overlapping claims area, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry will lead negotiations with Cambodia. Various attempts have been made to rekindle negotiations over the 500 million barrels of oil oil and gas deposits in the region with varying degrees of success. Source: Bangkok PostKeywords: barrels of oil equivalent per day,barrels of oil equivalent,barrels of oil per day,how many barrels of oil does the u.s. use a day, 2 million barrels of oil in tonnes
Source:Bangkok Post
September 14, 2022 01:35 UTC
Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, CEO of Boon Rawd Brewery, dies
Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, CEO of Boon Rawd Brewery, diesChutinant Bhirombhakdi, CEO of Boon Rawd Brewery Co. (Photo: Boon Rawd Brewery Co)Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, president and CEO of Boon Rawd Brewery Co Ltd, has died in the United States where he was seeking medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. He is survived by his wife, Khunying Piyapat, and their three children, Chitpas “Tant” Kridakorn, Nantaya “Tui” Bhirombhakdi and Lt Naiyanobh “Toy” Bhirombhakdi. Chutinant was the third generation Bhirompakdi to run the country’s well-known brewery company. Chutinant also held the post of president of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand and was credited with the success of many paralympic athletes. Thailand's national paralympic national team mourned his passing by blacking out their social media profile pictures.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 13, 2022 17:21 UTC
Six high-powered pumps deployed to drain Bangkok flood
The capital has been hit by heavy downpours since Wednesday, leaving many parts of the city flooded, especially areas along canals. The BMA should have sped up water pumping at the Phra Khanong station, he added. On Monday evening, the governor appeared on Facebook Live leading a team of drainage chiefs to Phra Khanong pumping station. Chadchart said during the broadcast that water pumps at Phra Khanong were too old to handle the situation but he was addressing the problem. The 2011 disaster was caused by massive floodwaters from upstream provinces while the current floods came from heavy downpours, he explained.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 13, 2022 10:04 UTC
Let's listen to music and create a piece of art at "Art Inspired by Storytelling"
The event includes a variety of learning activities that encourage children to use their imaginations, such as a display of art pieces created by children designing bags and making small clay cups inspired by the stories "The Rabbit's Fabric Bag" by Koyama Yoshiko and Kamimoto Kozo and "A Cup for Everyone" by Yusuke Yonezu. Attendees will also be able to participate in an art workshop where children and families can collaborate to create works inspired by listening to visual stories. In addition, every weekend throughout the event, a demonstration of Kamishibai, a traditional form of Japanese street theatre in the form of picture card storytelling, will be held to improve children's storytelling skills. There will also be concerts to commemorate "Playing for Change Day," a global event that supports music as a tool for change. And apart from ukulele workshops, on "Playing for Change Day" on September 17, 2022, children from the Khlong Toei Community will demonstrate their art creation skills as well as exhibit their works in a fun-filled art exhibition.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
September 13, 2022 10:01 UTC
Central Village to celebrate 3rd anniversary as a world-class luxury outlet,
Bangkok – Central Village, a joint venture between Central Pattana Plc. and Mitsubishi Estate Group, is celebrating its 3rd anniversary as a world-class luxury outlet. Central Village is highlighting its strategies to become 'Thailand's Most Complete Luxury Outlet & Lifestyle Destination', which meets all lifestyles, with over 300 leading brands. Dr. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Executive Vice President of Marketing of Central Pattana, said: “Central Village is the first project to transform the Thai retail industry by adding the first world-class luxury outlet in the country, with a new retail platform that increases competitiveness and provides a world-class luxury outlet experience for branded products. Central Village has been highly successful, with great feedback from shoppers, including Thais, expats and foreign tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 13, 2022 06:45 UTC