(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government has measures in place to “restart tourism” and expects 40 million visitors and 3.1 trillion baht in tourism-related revenue next year, according to a spokesman. “Tourism is the only economic engine that can still run and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the country,” Mr Chai said. Total tourism revenue last year was 600 billion baht as the country was closed to foreign travellers for several months because of Covid restrictions. “This year the expected revenue from tourism will account for 80% of the figure in 2019 when tourism-related revenue peaked before the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Chai said. “These are the 10 measures to restart Thai tourism and make it a revenue engine that generates a quick win and new income for economic recovery,” Mr Chai said.

Cabinet approves economic stimuli, including visa-free schemePrime Minister Srettha Thavisin announces key resolutions from the first meeting of his cabinet at Government House on Wednesday. After the meeting at Government House, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the visa-free scheme would operate from Sept 25 to Feb 29 next year for visitors from China and Kazakhstan. The scheme will be temporary, so its impact can be assessed," the prime minister said. The cabinet resolved to reduce the power tariff from 4.45 baht per unit to 4.10 baht from this month onwards. "I think the decrease is bigger than expected," the prime minister said.

Organisers call gem fair a huge successThe results of the 68th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair exceeded expectations, with nearly 40,000 visitors from 117 countries, Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), said yesterday. “Bangkok Gems is not just Asia’s most comprehensive gems and jewellery trade show but also a platform for international trade networks," he said. “The success of this event underscores the significance of Bangkok Gems and Thailand as a global hub for the gem and jewellery trade and manufacturing,” he said. The two organisers also spoke about their readiness for the next editions, disclosing that the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held twice during 2024. Those interested are encouraged to reserve their spots promptly to ensure they don’t miss out on the next event, organisers said.

Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co., Ltd., or TAP, is driving its business while advancing towards sustainability and responsibility in areas that go beyond traditional businesses. Most recently, TAP has set an important milestone for environmental sustainability in Nonthaburi Province through the launch of the "Yellow Pridiyathorn Garden" Project. TAP is celebrating its 28th anniversary by honouring the project's name as a token of gratitude towards M.R. Aligning with Heineken®'s global sustainability mission "Brew a Better World," this year, TAP has initiated numerous projects to support the local communities. With TAP's commitment to sustainability, the business was awarded the "Green Industry Level 4" from the Ministry of Industry.

Dead police officer blamed himself for subordinate's murderPolice in front of the house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani, where Pol Col Vachira Yaothaisong, commander of Highway Police sub-division 2, was found dead with a gunshot wound on Monday. Pol Col Vachira appeared stressed out and said he could not sleep, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said. He had advised Pol Col Vachira to get plenty of rest, and try to sleep. A police friend later took Pol Col Vachira for a meal and then to sleep at a hotel in Muang Thong Thani. Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said he had instructed Pol Col Vachira not to answer any phone calls.

In his first policy statement to parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin likened the country to a "sick person", for which the government needs to prescribe cures such as the 10,000-baht digital cash handout and reduced energy prices. He said Thailand's longstanding economic, social and political problems have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the nation has yet to fully recover from its effects. "Thailand is like a sick person... Tourism and spending are recovering so slowly that there is the risk of economic recession," Mr Srettha said. MFP list-MP Woraphop Viriyaroj called on the government to adjust the digital wallet programme to make it beneficial to SMEs, otherwise large businesses would reap the benefits instead. Digital cash 'well thought out'Pheu Thai's digital wallet programme was the focus of the first day of the two-day debate on the government's policies.

Prime Video recently announced the release of Comedy Island Thailand, the first Thai original to be available in Thailand and more than 240 countries and territories on the streaming platform. The creative director of Comedy Island Thailand is Mez Tharatorn, who directed some of Thailand's all-time favourite romcoms such as ATM: Er Rak Error, I Fine... Thank You Love You and The Con-Heartist, and the director is Krisada Kanivichaporn of comedy-horror Midnight University and horror series The Collector. It is co-written by Mez, Krisada, Puchong Tuntisungwaragul, Eakasit Thairaat, Patha Thongpan, Aticha Tanthanawigrai, Jarinee Thanomyat and Waneepan Ounphoklang. Comedy Island Thailand is produced by Liminal Entertainment in conjunction with Malin Films Production.

Move Forward Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul replies to the government policy statement in parliament on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Move Forward Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul slammed the Pheu Thai Party-led government's policy statement to parliament as being vague and lacking goals, indicators and timeframes. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered his policy statement on Monday morning. "This policy statement is no different from a document released earlier. The Pheu Thai Party had done better with the policy statement of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Senior police transferred over dinner party murderA casket with the body of Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua arrives on a carriage for his royally-sponsored cremation at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bang Khen district of Bangkok on Monday. (Police photo)Two high-ranking police officers present at Kamnan Nok's dinner party when a highway policeman was slain and another wounded by a gunman in Nakhon Pathom last Wednesday have been transferred to inactive posts. The Royal Thai Police Office ordered the investigation of all police officers who attended the party. Pictures and reports carried by news outlets showed the large number of police in attendance at the dinner party. Family, friends and associates of murdered Pol Maj Siwakorn gathered at Sala 11 of Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bang Khen district of Bangkok on Monday for his royally-sponsored cremation.

Forensic police walk to the house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani, where Pol Col Vachira Yaothaiwong committed suicide on Monday. (Police photo)Pol Col Vachira Yaothaisong, commander of Highway Police sub-division 2, shot himself dead at his house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, on Monday, a police source said. Pol Col Vachira, 44, was one of the 25 police officers who also attended the party and are being investigated. He died at his home in a housing estate in tambon Khu Khot of Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani. Pol Col Vachira was reported to have sought treatment for despression and stress at Phramongkutklao Hospital after the death of Pol Maj Siwakorn.

The government should also subsidise food prices as it does fuel prices, she added. Helping the grassrootsChalerm Changthongmadun, head of the Thai Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Association, wants the government to ensure that motorcycle taxi drivers are well-regulated and registered in line with the law. He also suggests the government find measures to allow motorcycle taxi drivers access to alternative energy sources to help reduce fuel costs. Currently, motorcycle taxi drivers are not allowed by law to resell their licensed vests to people who do not have a proper licence as this risks passengers' safety. He also said the government should support efforts to develop an application for passengers to use the services of licensed motorcycle taxi drivers.

G20 summit ends with India, Brazil and Russia boasting successIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) hands over the gavel to Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) and the end of the G20 summit. G20 leaders have been deeply riven over the Ukraine war since Moscow's invasion last year, with Russian President Vladimir Putin skipping the summit entirely to dodge political opprobrium. "We were able to prevent the West's attempts to 'Ukrainize' the summit agenda," the veteran diplomat said, dubbing the two-day gathering a "success". G20 members Russia and Saudi Arabia are major oil exporters, while coal consumption is rising in China and India, already the world's biggest consumers of the dirty fuel. - 'People's G20' -Modi, who painted the summit as India's diplomatic coming of age and is pushing for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, celebrated the accession of the 55-member African Union to the G20.

Chinese fintech giant Ant Group unveils own AI large language model, along with new Web3 brand, in push to expand presence in financial sectorAnt Group has started transforming its entire fintech business on the back of the firm’s own artificial intelligence large language model. The Hangzhou-based company on Friday unveiled its self-developed "financial LLM" at the "Inclusion Conference on the Bund" event in Shanghai, along with two applications powered by the group's AI model. Ant's financial LLM was used to upgrade Zhixiaobao, the firm's consumer-facing "intelligent financial assistant" for wealth management and insurance, to help users in various scenarios including generating asset-management plans. The new AI model of Ant, an affiliate of South China Morning Post owner Alibaba Group Holding, has already outperformed "mainstream general-purpose LLMs" in terms of financial scenarios, according to Wang. In the same Shanghai conference, Ant also launched a new Web3 brand called ZAN, targeting Hong Kong and other overseas markets.

Ukraine steps up pressure on its allies for action against RussiaZelensky has kept up the pressure on his Western allies, for more weapons, more quicklyKYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukraine stepped up the pressure on its Western allies Saturday, deploring the lack of progress on setting up an international tribunal to try Russia's leaders and on the transfer of frozen Russian assets. There has been insufficient progress too, on the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine for use in the country's reconstruction, Kuleba added. "We are grateful for all the support provided... We need more heavy weapons," Umerov said in his embargoed speech. - 'The enemy is strong' -Deputy Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitsky estimated Saturday that Russia has more than 420,000 soldiers in the east and south of Ukraine, including Crimea. Skibitsky also said Russia had for a month been actively launching attacks from Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

A giant screen shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting behind a sign that reads “Bharat”, while delivering the opening speech during the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s placard at the opening of the G20 summit on Saturday referred to India as “Bharat”, raising speculation of a change of name for the South Asian nation. India is also called Bharat, Bharata and Hindustan — its pre-colonial names — in Indian languages and these are used interchangeably by the public and officially. As Modi declared the summit in New Delhi open on Saturday, he sat behind a table nameplate that read “Bharat”, while the G20 logo had both names — “Bharat” written in Hindi and “India” in English. While some supporters of the name Bharat say “India” was given by British colonisers, historians say the name predates colonial rule by centuries.