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From the Thaiger A British couple holidaying in Thailand discovered that home comforts come at a shocking price abroad. Mark and Nadine, originally from the UK and Ireland but residing in Australia, embarked on their tropical getaway only to be floored by the cost of a simple can of Heinz Baked Beanz. While perusing a local supermarket, the pair stumbled upon the familiar brand, a beloved staple back home. Nadine, unable to contain her surprise, held up the tin in a video shared on TikTok. The couple swiftly did the maths, converting the price to Australian dollars, and were left gobsmacked by the result. “20 Australian dollars f…

From AP Thai fire fighters attempt to control fire at Chinatown in Bangkok late Saturday. The nighttime blaze began in a row of shophouses behind a hotel, but was difficult to put out because they were accessible only by a narrow alley. No deaths were reported. Sakchai Lalit - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS The Bangkok Post is reporting that the blaze was in the Yaowarat Rd. Area. Elderly residents were rescued by aerial devices. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2824573/big-fire-gutted-chinatown

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Media rumors that the pound would suffer a setback following the UK poll proved to be unfounded. In the past, Labour victories have been accompanied by a fall in the value of the British currency on fears that the party could not be trusted with the nation’s coffers. However, the July 4 election produced such a huge win for the Labour opposition, amid a collapse without precedent of the Conservative vote, that currency dealers and commentators have taken the view that firm government with a huge majority will benefit the country. The pound is holding steady at around 46.68 to the Thai baht. The other British expa…

From CNN It was an attack that sent shockwaves through a country long considered a pioneer in LGBTQ rights. In the early hours of May 6, four lesbian women were set on fire in Argentina. Only one of them survived. It happened at a boarding house in the Barracas neighborhood of Buenos Aires, where Pamela Fabiana Cobas, Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, Andrea Amarante and Sofía Castro Riglo were sharing a room. Witnesses say a man broke in and threw an incendiary device that set the women on fire. Pamela died soon after. Her partner Roxana died days later of organ failure. Andrea died on May 12 in a hospital. Andrea’s partner Sofía was the sole survivor. Sh…

From The Nation National flag carrier Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is planning to restore flight routes to Europe that have been suspended since Covid-19 outbreak, hoping to secure 180 billion baht revenue this year. THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri said on Friday that of the targeted revenue, 160 billion baht would come from airline operations, with average cabin factor in 2024 at 75%. “We are confident that the EBITDA [earnings before income, tax, depreciation and amortisation] this year will exceed 20 billion baht, in line with the conditions to exit the business rehabilitation plan,” he said. The airline filed for ba…

from CNBC Travel Japan’s two largest commercial airlines are toughening their stances against travelers who verbally or physically abuse airline staff. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways updated their websites Friday with “customer harassment” policies, in the wake of rising instances of front-line worker abuse occurring across industries in Japan. Using similarly worded language, the two airlines cited nine behaviors that constitute “harassment” under the policies, including: Abusive language, aggressive tone, insults, discrimination, slander Threatening words or actions Excessive or unreasonable demands Assault Deeds whi…

From Thai PBS World The Interior Ministry has been assigned by the Cabinet to amend the Condominium Act, to increase the foreign ownership limit in a development from 49% to 75%, and to amend the Land Act, to allow foreigners to lease land in Thailand for 99 years, up from the current 50. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday that there is actually not much change needed to the Land Act, because the existing law already allows foreigners to lease land for 50 years, with an option to extend by a further 50 years. He said the Land Act needs to be amended anyway, to provide assurance to foreign investors that they can utilize land in Thailand fo…

From CNN 2024’s Global Liveability Index: The top 10 1. Vienna, Austria 2. Copenhagen, Denmark 3. Zurich, Switzerland 4. Melbourne, Australia 5. Calgary, Canada 5. Geneva, Switzerland 7. Sydney, Australia 7. Vancouver, Canada 9. Osaka, Japan 9. Auckland, New Zealand https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/26/travel/the-worlds-most-liveable-cities-for-2024/index.html

From Pattaya Mail Thailand aims to conclude the Thailand-EFTA Free Trade Agreement this year, marking the first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the country and other European nations. EFTA, the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, is set to be finalized this year, while Thailand-EU Free Trade negotiations have been extended to next year. According to Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Thailand is also accelerating free trade negotiations with South Korea, Bhutan, and the ASEAN-Canada.

From Thai PBS World While green spaces might not be seen as a high priority in Thailand, the proximity to nature is one of reasons why Finland has retained its position as the happiest country in the world for seven years. The living environment, combined with rich natural spaces and government efforts to reduce factors contributing unhappiness, are keys to maintaining happiness for Finns. Abundant green spaces in cities, and a mere 40-minute drive from the capital to a national park, enable Finns to enjoy their time in natural environments. A forest guide at Nuuksio National Park, Joel Pyykkönen, told Thai PBS World that this is his dream job and generate…

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The Thai prime minister’s campaign to introduce a Schengen-style visa program for travel across the region has become stuck in bureaucracy. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos each has different travel regulations which are proving hard to disentangle. For example, Thailand now allows no-cost visa exemptions for tourist traffic from 93 countries, about half the number agreed by Vietnam. Cambodia charges almost all visitors US$30 on arrival or via e-visa application, while troubled Myanmar insists on a pre-purchased visa which can take up to two weeks to issue. Chief executive of VietSense Travel, N…

From The Nation Leveraging on the country's logistics capabilities, the Thai government plans to promote year-round travel for tourists, and as part of this policy the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is collaborating with relevant partners to develop infrastructure that allows tourists easy access to major attractions. The “Amazing Experience” initiative aims to provide new and valuable travel experiences in major cities, connecting 55 notable provinces across the country. This is done in conjunction with presenting Thai identity through the concept of “5 Must Do in Thailand” to drive the government’s “Ignite Thailand’s Tourism” policy…

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The 60 days visa exempt for 93 countries This was announced prematurely by the foreign affairs ministry and has not yet started. Amongst the details to be clarified are whether the visa exempt can be extended for a further month at local immigration (90 days in all) and whether the whole exercise can be repeated by leaving Thailand and returning quickly. The Destination Thailand Visa This looks like a 180 days “activity-related” visa with limited extension rights, but clarification is awaited. Will likely need documentation such as company papers to work overseas for remote workers, registration at a Thai martial arts tr…

War, offensives, politics, corruption. You name it and they combine to deaden our senses to humanity. This one story won’t reverse that but it reminds us what truly matters. From The Thaiger Thai teen caring for his grandmother receives public support Generous individuals rallied to support a devoted Thai teen who put his education on hold to care for his ailing grandmother. The 15 year old Ae’s daily struggle involves walking barefoot for over 14 kilometres to collect and sell recyclable materials to support his grandmother and younger siblings. The family lives in a modest house in a rural area, lacking both electricity and running water. …

From Tourism. Authority of Thailand This month sees cultural performances to commemorate the 6th Cycle Birthday Celebration of HM King Rama X, and Buddhist festivals to mark the Asanha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa Day, as well as many other wonderful festivals and events taking place. Continue to listings https://www.tatnews.org/2024/06/july-2024s-festivals-and-events-in-thailand

NOTE — They list every conceivable reason other than they’re gay. From Thai PBS World The increase in those choosing to remain single is a global phenomenon. In Thailand, a recent survey indicates that more and more people are opting for the single life. They say being single enables them to be more focused on their personal growth and goals and gives them greater opportunities to become more independent and leave traditional norms behind. The Thai government is being urged to work harder to help couples find love, encourage marriage and reverse its plunging birth rates and thus reduce adverse socio-economic implications. Why do Thai people …

From Tourism Authority of Thailand If you are in Bangkok and wish to explore the Old City or Rattanakosin neighbourhood and the bustling Yaowarat Road – Chinatown’s high street, the most convenient way to enjoy your walking tour is to take the MRT Blue Line and get off at Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Sanam Chai or Itsaraphap MRT Stations. They run in this order from the Hua Lamphong MRT Station. Between them, the four stations provide an easy and convenient way to go from attraction to attraction, doing away with the need to tackle traffic conditions and having to travel by taxi, tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi. All in all, it makes for a more enjoyable time spent visit…

From Thai PBS World Even more puzzling than the country’s two top policemen being sidelined simultaneously for alleged corruption is that both have been reinstated months later as if no damage had been done. In a development that critics call “a farce”, national police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy Pol General Surachate Hakparn have been shifted from suspension in the Prime Minister’s Office back to their posts following the completion of an investigation by a three-man committee appointed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in March. Critics say this “win-win solution” for the feuding top cops is not in the national interest s…

From The Thaiger The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40 baht per hotel room, will be in effect from July this year to June 2026. While this will result in a revenue loss of 54 million baht for the government, Deputy Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang believes it is a necessary step. “Waiving the fee will help reduce expen…

From The Thaiger Thailand’s national parks achieved a monumental milestone, breaking revenue records by collecting a whopping 1.785 billion baht between October 1 last year, and June 20 this year. This incredible sum surpasses the total amount collected in the whole of 2023, which stood at 1.467 billion baht. Leading the charge is the Nopparat Thara Beach National Park, Phi Phi Islands, raking in an impressive 500.87 million baht. This park, a magnet for foreign tourists, has seen a dramatic increase in visitors, recording over 4.5 million foreign arrivals, a 41.5% rise from the previous year. In the past nine months, the park’s revenue surged from 300 mil…

From The Thaiger Despite a slight relief due to declining jet fuel prices and increased flight capacity, airfares are expected to remain high in the post-pandemic travel surge and are unlikely to revert to pre-pandemic levels soon. AirAsia Aviation’s CEO Bo Lingam spoke on the changes in travelling patterns post-pandemic in an interview. “[The aircraft] load factor is around 90%, this was unheard of pre-Covid.” The aviation sector has undergone significant changes following the pandemic, with pent-up travel demand driving ticket prices higher than inflation rates in many regions. Concurrently, supply chain issues, such as aircraft delivery delays and …

From The Thaiger Thailand’s Ministry of Finance announced the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods, which aims to address disparities between foreign and domestic sellers in terms of tax obligations, effective from July 5 to December 31, 2024. The Royal Thai Government Gazette published the Ministry of Finance’s declaration today, June 24. The declaration focuses on customs duty exemptions for items valued at 1,500 baht or less, aiming to create a fairer marketplace for consumers. The government’s policy seeks to resolve the unfair competition between foreign sellers, who are not subjected to VAT, and local sellers, who must pay this …

From The Nation Looking back at the biggest news in the Thai capital market over the past year, the colossal fraud at Stark Corporation Public Co Ltd undoubtedly stands out, causing alarm among stock market participants. This company once had a valuation as high as 60 billion baht and was even included in the SET100 index, which lists the top 100 largest companies in the Thai stock market. Stark borrowed huge sums of money from banks and bondholders, resulting in damages amounting to tens of billions of baht to the lenders. The grand Stark fraud began when Phelps Dodge, an American electrical wire manufacturer, d…

From Thai Enquirer Three major cases went before the Constitutional Court last week. Of the most anticipated cases — the potential dissolution of the Move Forward Party and ouster of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin — we received word that the court will need more time for deliberation next month. The Constitutional Court did make one major ruling, however, on the legality of the Senate election procedures. The court had received a petition claiming that the law governing how the new Senate is to be elected violated the 2017 constitution. The constitution had mandated that the election process should be as insulated as possible from political influence; t…

The Thaiger and ASEAN Now teamed up to publish an informative article about what to do if denied angry at airport or border crossings. It explains a lot of technical jargon and offers work arounds. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/ive-been-denied-entry-to-thailand-now-what