Illustrative image (Photo: https://www.bangkokpost.com/)Bangkok (VNA) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking partnerships with at least 11 international airlines in a bid to bolster rising and mature markets in the second half of this year. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the agency plans to reinforce potential markets by using airlines in those regions that operate flights to Thailand. The long-haul market projected to generate at least 770 billion THB (over 20.9 billion USD) this year from 10.8 million foreign arrivals, he noted. He said TAT’s marketing in the second half of the year will focus on two potential groups - rising and mature markets. The five mature markets that recorded gains during the same period that need to be maintained comprise France (38.7%), Germany (32%), the UK (22.6%), Russia (14.8%), and the US (14.3%).
Source:Bangkok Post
June 11, 2024 15:17 UTC
Thailand approves first spot Bitcoin ETF for wealthy investorsThailand has approved its inaugural spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), marking its entry into the growing list of nations that support regulated Bitcoin investment vehicles. The ONE Bitcoin ETF Fund is scheduled to be available to investors from May 31 to June 6. The ETF will cater exclusively to wealthy and institutional investors, following regulatory adjustments in April that allowed Bitcoin ETFs aimed at professional investors. Additionally, jurisdictions like Hong Kong, Australia, and the UK have launched spot Bitcoin ETFs or comparable products. Thailand has previously adopted crypto-friendly policies, such as exempting crypto trading gains from the 7% value-added tax and permitting local investment in U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 04, 2024 22:00 UTC
More Indian tourists, especially those of Gen Y and Gen Z, are visiting Thailand. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – More Indian tourists, especially those of Gen Y and Gen Z, are visiting Thailand. He said Gen Y and Gen Z people formed 80% of the Indian travellers booking accommodations in Thailand through Airbnb. Small groups of three to five visitors and medium-sized groups of five people and more showed the fastest growth among the Indian visitors to Thailand, up by 67% and 68% respectively from last year. The Thai government extended its visa-free scheme for Indian visitors for six months from May 11 to Nov 11./.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 03, 2024 09:16 UTC
Military personnel stand guard as hundreds of refugees crossed over the river frontier between Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, following the fall of a strategic border town to rebels fighting Myanmar's military junta, in Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand, on April 13, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)NAYPYIDAW - Myanmar's ruling junta has lost control over vast tracts of territory, including access to much of its international borders, allowing ethnic armed groups to expand and consolidate regions under their control, two reports assessing the conflict said on Thursday. The street demonstrations, which were met with a brutal crackdown, morphed into an armed resistance movement that has combined with many of Myanmar's ethnic rebel armies to pose the most significant challenge to the military in decades. "The junta has abandoned significant territory and has been forced into a defensive posture in most parts of the country where it remains present." Operation 1027, a coordinated offensive last October led by three ethnic armies, marked a key moment that exposed a weakened military, which ceded swathes of borderlands in Myanmar's north.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2024 13:46 UTC
Thailand intensifies AI policy to transform economy (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) is introducing its "MHESI for AI" policy, aiming to empower Thais to use artificial intelligence for national development. The second is AI workforce development by developing AI professionals and establishing AI infrastructure for Thai education and the labour market. The aim is to provide AI professionals, AI engineers, and IT professionals or other vocations with AI tool skills -- covering 30,000 people within three years. The third is on AI innovation to drive the economy by providing the full support of AI innovation. The third involves AI workforce development, aimed at producing 30,000 AI professionals.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2024 10:19 UTC
Koh Yao Yai, Phang Nga (Photo: https://www.bangkokpost.com/)Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved three ministerial notifications about measures to protect the environment in the three Andaman coastal provinces of Phangnga, Krabi, and Ranong. Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan said on May 29 that two notifications from his agency were approved during the meeting the day earlier. He stressed these measures will prohibit activities that are harmful to local ecosystems. The cabinet meeting also approved another notification by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry regarding measures to protect marine and coastal resources in the area of the Mu Ko Phayam Islands in Ranong's Muang district, Phatcharavat said. The measures will prohibit people in the area from leaving litter, releasing wastewater, snorkelling and diving, feeding sea creatures, fishing, reclaiming land and dropping anchors into the sea, he added./.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2024 09:57 UTC
Archeologists in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii have uncovered charcoal sketches drawn by children depicting possibly violent fights they may have witnessed. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director at the archeological park in Pompeii, says the drawing was likely made by children around six or seven years of age.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2024 03:51 UTC
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Attorney-General has decided to indict former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for lese-majeste arising from an interview in 2015, sending shockwaves through the government in which Thaksin is widely regarded as a key behind-the-scenes figure. The computer crime charge stems from Thaksin inputting information into a computer system that was deemed a threat to national security, Mr Prayut said. “Thaksin is ready to prove his innocence in the justice system.”Asked whether Thaksin would show up to answer his indictment as required, Mr Winyat said it was his client’s responsibility to be present. They aim to get the video examined by experts to prove it isn’t genuine as suspected, said Mr Winyat. In another development, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong insisted the decision to have Thaksin arraigned would not result in him losing his parole because Thaksin is still considered innocent.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2024 03:48 UTC
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira speaks during an event held to announce a joint venture asset-management company between the Government Savings Bank and Bangkok Commercial Asset Management, on Wednesday in Bangkok. (Photo: Bloomberg)SINGAPORE - Thailand’s new finance minister has caught investor attention with a more conciliatory approach to the central bank, opening a window for policy coordination to support the country’s battered markets. “I think he (Pichai) certainly understands the culture of the people at the Bank of Thailand,” former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala told the Reuters Global Markets Forum last week. Last month the Ministry of Finance cut its growth target to 2.4% from 2.8% previously. Domestic banks last month cut lending rates by 25 basis points for vulnerable groups for a period of six months, following a plea from the prime minister.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2024 23:34 UTC
This year's concept is "Growing Impactful Ventures," aiming to drive businesses forward sustainably. The event will take place from June 20-22, 2024, at Sasin School of Management, as part of the Sasin Impact Entrepreneurship Week 2024 (SasinIEW). As a leader in the petrochemical industry committed to sustainability, SCGC has been the title sponsor of BBC for over nine years. In addition to driving sustainable business, SCGC recognises that promoting and supporting university-level startup entrepreneurs through the Bangkok Business Challenge is another way to foster widespread sustainable business practices.”BBC has seen a total of 276 teams from around the world applying to participate, a 60% increase from the previous year. Esteemed judges from various business sectors, including Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson of Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd., will be selecting the best teams.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2024 15:27 UTC
Land and building tax collection to tally B43bn this yearAn aerial view of land and properties in Bangkok. The capital has completed 99.4% of its land usage assessments, covering 2.1 million plots of land, 2.2 million houses and 1 million condo units. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)The Finance Ministry expects collection of the land and building tax this year to total 43 billion baht, 8 billion higher than last year as the tax discount is discontinued. According to Mr Lavaron, as this tax collection and its revenue belong to local governments, local administrative organisations must survey land usage because different types of land usage are subject to different tax rates. Bangkok has completed 99.4% of its land usage assessment, covering 2.1 million plots of land, 2.2 million houses and 1 million condo units, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2024 11:05 UTC
Heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Remal have flooded fish farms and damaged croplands in southern Bangladesh, causing huge financial losses and damage, local farmer Protap Mostafi said on Tuesday (May 28).
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2024 06:55 UTC
China and South Africa are two of the Brics members. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates officially joined the Brics bloc on Jan 1. Mr Chai said the letter states that Thailand realises the importance of multilateralism and the increasing role of developing countries in the international arena. Mr Chai said Brics had invited non-member countries aspiring to join to participate in the 16th Brics summit in Kazan, Russia, from Oct 22 to 24. Attending the event would be an opportunity for Thailand to accelerate the membership process and enhance its role as a leading player among developing countries, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2024 05:10 UTC
(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The cabinet approved a raft of new visa promotions to attract more tourists on Tuesday, including visa-free and visa-on-arrival schemes and longer stays for students, and a reduced level of compulsory health insurance for retirees. The 36 new countries included Albania, Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. Visitors' stays under this scheme were also extended to 60 days, the government spokesman said. "This measure targets digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers... as well as those who want to learn Muay Thai and Thai cuisine. - Retirement -Visitors aged 50 years or more who want long-stay visas are currently required to have health insurance coverage worth 3 million baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 28, 2024 14:24 UTC