Jonathan Fairfield

Boris Johnson says chances of no-deal Brexit are 'a million-to-one'

 

Boris Johnson, a leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, stands outside one of the buildings at Wisley Garden Centre in Surrey, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, the favourite to become British prime minister, said the chances of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal are “a million-to-one” even as he repeated his promise to leave the bloc without a deal by the end of October.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108496-johnson-warns-eu-against-any-napoleonic-tariffs-in-no-deal-brexit/?tab=comments#comment-14285549

 

Boris Johnson says chances of no-deal Brexit are 'a million-to-one'

 

Boris Johnson, a leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, stands outside one of the buildings at Wisley Garden Centre in Surrey, Britain, June 25, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, the favourite to become British prime minister, said the chances of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal are “a million-to-one” even as he repeated his promise to leave the bloc without a deal by the end of October.

 

The race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May has heated up this week, with the foreign minister Jeremy Hunt stepping up his criticism of Johnson, who has warned that he would execute a so-called no-deal Brexit if he fails to agree a deal with the EU.

 

More than three years after Britain voted to leave the EU, Brexit is dominating the race to become leader of the Conservative Party and the next prime minister.

 

The winner could face a battle with parliament, which rejected May’s deal three times and is opposed to a no-deal exit.

At an election hustings on Wednesday, Johnson said the chances of leaving the EU without an agreement are remote because there is was a new mood among leaders on the continent and parliament to pass a revised Brexit deal.

 

“It is vital that we are prepare for a no-deal outcome if we are going to get the deal that we need. I don’t think that is where we are going to end up, I think it is a million-to-one against,” he said.

 

DO OR DIE BREXIT

 

His comments came just a day after he promised to leave the EU at the end of October “come what may, do or die”, raising fears among more moderate lawmakers in parliament that he will attempt to push through a no-deal Brexit.

 

Earlier, Hunt took aim at rival Johnson’s “do or die” pledge to take Britain out of the EU no matter what, saying this stance could destroy Brexit and the government.

 

Hunt, who also wants Brexit to happen at the end of October but would extend the deadline if a deal was in sight, said it could open the way to opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn winning a new election.

 

“If we do it in this kind of ‘do or die way’, the risk is that we’ll just trip into a general election because parliament will stop it, as they did in March, and then we’ll have Corbyn in Downing Street, and there will be no Brexit at all,” Hunt told BBC radio.

 

The two contenders are now hoping to win over the governing Conservatives’ around 160,000 members, whose votes will ultimately decide who becomes prime minister.

 

Both contenders say they do not want a no-deal Brexit, but concede that, if needed, they would lead Britain out of the bloc without a deal with differing levels of enthusiasm - a scenario businesses say could cripple the world’s fifth largest economy.

 

Labour, and other opposition parties have said they will not allow a new government to preside over a no deal, with some lawmakers suggesting the new prime minister could face a no confidence motion almost immediately.

 

“We’re confident that no deal can be prevented in parliament,” said a spokesman for Corbyn. “We will use whatever means necessary to prevent a no deal outcome.”

 

Johnson played down the likelihood that he would prorogue, or suspend, parliament until the Brexit deadline to prevent lawmakers blocking a no-deal Brexit, but did not entirely rule it out.

 

“I’m not attracted to archaic devices like proroguing,” he said.

 

Hunt, during the hustings, also took the opportunity to dismiss one of Johnson’s ideas that Britain could negotiate a standstill agreement to prevent trade tariffs with the EU if it left with no deal.

 

Hunt said he was not accusing Johnson of lying but said that his proposals under an international mechanism of Article 24 of the GATT Treaty could not realistically be introduced.

 

“We’ve got to knock this Gatt 24 thing on the head. You can only get an agreement not to introduce tariffs if both sides agree to that,” he said.

 

Phuket’s tourist evolution – Diversity is the best option Part 1

by Guest Writer

 

 

Today’s guest writer has been managing resorts around Phuket for two decades and has represented his brand at international expos along with promotions for Phuket over the years. His knowledge is first-hand and steeped in local experience. He has asked to remain anonymous.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108551-phuket’s-tourist-evolution-–-diversity-is-the-best-option-part-1/

 

Phuket’s tourist evolution – Diversity is the best option Part 1

by Guest Writer

 

 

Today’s guest writer has been managing resorts around Phuket for two decades and has represented his brand at international expos along with promotions for Phuket over the years. His knowledge is first-hand and steeped in local experience. He has asked to remain anonymous.

 

At the end of the 1990’s into the early 2000’s Phuket saw the drastic increase in number of guests from Scandinavia countries with their tour operators investing many millions of Baht in developing new resorts to cater for their expected dramatic increase in tourism to Thailand. 

 

Today most of these resorts still stand and have successfully operated since but, some (as ours have) have seen the Scandianavian guests moving out and focusing more on Khao Lak as a preferred destination plus the resort towns of Hua Hin and Rayong who emerged as preferred destinations for the Scandinavian market. They too have seen changes with the development of small communities of private housing to cater for this market in preference to traditional resorts. This is also true for couples and the ‘silver’ market (over 60s). Families however are very much geared towards purpose-built family-friendly resorts, or resorts operated/managed by their tour operator. 

 

In the early 2000’s we also saw the beginnings of the Russian market starting to check out Phuket as a new destination. I remember when one tour operator, who is very successful now, came to our resort to ask for some rooms and if they could pay on departure for their guests rather than before their arrival. We were one of the first to say ‘yes’ and even today the tour operator always recalls that early business assistance when they chat with me. 

 

Since then Phuket experienced arrivals from Russians drastically increasing year on year beyond any expectations, until now. For our resorts, we relied on the Russian market to fill nearly 80% of the resort for high season and they just carried on asking for more and more rooms until April this year when this market’s numbers dropped through the floor. As Egypt has re-opened and Vietnam is seen as the ‘new’ place to be seen, Russian guests are now heading to these destinations and Phuket has been left behind.  

 

Will they come back? Only time will tell, but over the past year the number of families has increased heavily with over 60% of one major tour operator’s guest arrival list being families. So if the Russians do come back (and everyone is positive that they will), it COULD mean that there is a shift in choice of beach or choice of resort offering more kid-friendly opportunities.  

 

Resort operators therefore need to look at the future and ‘change with the times’. In some cases this might mean having to change their guest room configurations to cater for market swings or as in the case of a friend’s resort, knock down single rooms and build more family-friendly accommodation! Upgrade facilities to cater to the new markets. This also goes for local establishments – restaurants, attractions, tours and retail shops. 

 

In our resorts, we have increased the number of family rooms by over 100% with 50 rooms currently being converted to cater for this market. 

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/phukets-tourist-evolution-diversity-is-the-best-option-part-1

 

Charter court accepts media share cases of 32 pro-government MPs

 

 

The Constitutional Court today (Wednesday) agreed to accept for consideration the cases of 32 pro-government MPs accused by the opposition Future Forward party of owning or holding shares in media companies in violation of the election law.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108550-charter-court-accepts-media-share-cases-of-32-pro-government-mps/

 

Charter court accepts media share cases of 32 pro-government MPs

 

 

The Constitutional Court today (Wednesday) agreed to accept for consideration the cases of 32 pro-government MPs accused by the opposition Future Forward party of owning or holding shares in media companies in violation of the election law.

 

At the same time, the court decided to drop the cases of nine other pro-government MPs facing similar allegations on the grounds that the evidence, presented by the Future Forward party in the form of memoranda of association of companies registered at the Business Development Department, did not clearly indicate the firms intended to engage in the media business.

 

The nine MPs who were let off the hook were Mr. Sastra Sriparn, Mr. Surasak Chingnawan, Ms. Parim Pooncharoen, Ms. Pareena Kraikupt, Mr. Chaivuth Thanakamansorn, Mr. Chakkrabhand Pornnimit, Mr. Korn Chatikavanich, Mr. Pramual Pongwarade and Mr. Akkaradet Wongpitakrote.

 

Since these cases were dropped, the court did not consider the Future Forward party’s demand that they should be suspended from performing their duty as MPs.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/charter-court-accepts-media-share-cases-of-32-pro-government-mps/

 

AOT’s second terminal project at Suvarnabhumi placed on hold for review

 

 

Thailand’s Transport Ministry has placed Airports of Thailand’s (AOT) 42-billion baht second terminal project at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on hold.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108549-aot’s-second-terminal-project-at-suvarnabhumi-placed-on-hold-for-review/

 

AOT’s second terminal project at Suvarnabhumi placed on hold for review

 

 

Thailand’s Transport Ministry has placed Airports of Thailand’s (AOT) 42-billion baht second terminal project at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on hold.

 

Transport permanent secretary Chaiwat Thongkamkoon said Tuesday that the ministry wants to review the project and take into consideration all related infrastructure projects, such as the high-speed train system linking U-tapao airport in Rayong, Don Muang airport in Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province, as well as the U-tapao airport development plan.

 

He said the ministry agreed with the National Economic and Social Development Board’s (NESDB) assessment that the AOT’s second terminal project was not comprehensive and did not take into account the related infrastructure projects currently under way.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/aots-second-terminal-project-at-suvarnabhumi-placed-on-hold-for-review/

 

Department of Mineral Resources on landslide watch

 

 

Mr. Montri Luengingkasoot, deputy director-general of Thailand’s, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), reported today (Wednesday) that the Geo-Hazards Operation Center is keeping a close watch on situations which may lead to landslides in risky areas across the country, especially in the North.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108548-department-of-mineral-resources-on-landslide-watch/

 

Department of Mineral Resources on landslide watch

 

 

Mr. Montri Luengingkasoot, deputy director-general of Thailand’s, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), reported today (Wednesday) that the Geo-Hazards Operation Center is keeping a close watch on situations which may lead to landslides in risky areas across the country, especially in the North.

 

The DMR has taken its usual measures, including strengthening local networks to handle emergency situations during the rainy season, when landslides become a natural threat to many.

 

The DMR has recently conducted surveys and found that 54 provinces, 332 districts and 1,084 tambon are at risk of landslides this year. The North, in particular, has the highest chance of landslides from May to September, due to the south western monsoon and tropical cyclones crossing the country.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/department-of-mineral-resources-on-landslide-watch/

 

41 percent of vegetables in Thai markets exceed contamination standards

 

 

Pesticide watchdog Thai-PAN has today (Wednesday) published its most recent survey, which reveals that 41% of all vegetables in Thailand’s fresh markets are contaminated with chemical pesticides to a level that exceeds internationally acceptable standards. 12 types of banned chemicals were also discovered.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108547-41-percent-of-vegetables-in-thai-markets-exceed-contamination-standards/

 

41 percent of vegetables in Thai markets exceed contamination standards

 

 

Pesticide watchdog Thai-PAN has today (Wednesday) published its most recent survey, which reveals that 41% of all vegetables in Thailand’s fresh markets are contaminated with chemical pesticides to a level that exceeds internationally acceptable standards. 12 types of banned chemicals were also discovered.

 

Ms. Prokchol Ousap, coordinator of Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN), reported that the organization recently collected 286 samples of vegetables in collaboration with agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provincial health officials, Tambon health workers, members of national farmer council, consumers’ association and civil society.

 

She said that the sample sources ranged from fresh markets and shop houses to produce shelves in department stores in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Yasothorn, Srakaew, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi and Songkhla. The samples included 15 types of vegetables and nine types of fruit commonly consumed by the public. They were sent for analysis by ISO-17025 certified laboratories in the United Kingdom.

 

“The result is shocking as they found that 41% of the samples were contaminated with chemical pesticides,” said Ms. Prokchol.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/41-percent-of-vegetables-in-thai-markets-exceed-contamination-standards/

 

Thailand Live June 27 - https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108546-thailand-live-thursday-27-june-2019/

 

8 tonnes of marijuana burned in Nakhon Phanom

By The Nation

 

 

The Nakhon Phanom provincial administration on Wednesday torched 8.4 tonnes of marijuana and 67.3 tonnes of kratom leaves in a ceremony to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit Trafficking.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108514-8-tonnes-of-marijuana-burned-in-nakhon-phanom/

Cannabis clinic fails to cope with demand

By The Nation

 

 

Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital has announced that its medical cannabis clinic, which opened on Monday, will not accept any more patients as the clinic had reached its limit.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108520-cannabis-clinic-fails-to-cope-with-demand/

Big Joke REMOVED from police rules committee just hours after appointment

 

 

Former head of Immigration and one time poster boy of the Royal Thai Police Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn has been removed from a rules and procedures committee. 

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108523-big-joke-removed-from-police-rules-committee-just-hours-after-appointment/

LATEST: Big Joke REMOVED from police rules committee just hours after appointment 

 

Please continue discussion here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108523-big-joke-removed-from-police-rules-committee-just-hours-after-appointment/

Big Joke latest: Meeting happening NOW to discuss former poster boy's future

 

 

The story of Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn continued to dominate the Thai media today. 

 

Mono29 TV devoted their entire afternoon program to the latest news that Surachate - known universally as Big Joke - had been named on a sub-committee for police rules and procedures. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108379-the-mother-of-all-u-turns-prawit-names-big-joke-on-police-rules-committee/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-14283817

 

Big Joke latest: Meeting happening NOW to discuss former poster boy's future

 

 

The story of Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn continued to dominate the Thai media today. 

 

Mono29 TV devoted their entire afternoon program to the latest news that Surachate - known universally as Big Joke - had been named on a sub-committee for police rules and procedures. 

 

Their program was trumpeted as "Big Joke Comeback" using the English word for comeback in Thai.

 

This came despite DPM Prawit Wongsuwan saying earlier that there was no way back into the police for Surachate after he was transferred to a clerical role at the PM's office in April. 

 

Mono29 quoted a government official as saying that non-police members can sit on the committee and there was nothing unusual in that. He was on the committee in an advisory capacity due to his role at the PM's office. 

 

But there were conflicting opinions coming from the main players in both the police and government circles. 

 

Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta who heads the committee indicated that after the news about Surachate being on the committee became public knowledge there may be moves to remove him from the list. 

 

RTP chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda was questioned extensively by reporters and seemed unsure as to whether Surachate could sit on the committee.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and government legal affairs expert Visan Krea-ngarm suggested that Surachate had merely been transferred from his role as immigration chief to the PM office. 

 

Therefore if he was to go back it would not be a big deal. File footage of PM Prayut Chan-ocha commenting on Surachate was also shown. 

 

The media spoke of Surachate's very high profile and seeming fall from grace. They said that at the height of his police power he was announcing the resolution of three to seven cases a day. 

 

He was involved in call center busts, clearing up romance scams, arresting illegal foreigners and those on overstay.

 

The TV media said that while they were on air at 3.15 pm a meeting was being convened to discuss Big Joke's immediate future and whether he would be allowed to sit on the police rules committee. 

 

More news on this breaking story as we hear of it. 

 

Latest Honda models on show in Bangkok

By The Nation

 

 

Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd is exhibiting eight models, including three launched this year, at the Fast Auto Show Thailand in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108458-latest-honda-models-on-show-in-bangkok/

 

Latest Honda models on show in Bangkok

By The Nation

 

 

Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd is exhibiting eight models, including three launched this year, at the Fast Auto Show Thailand in Bangkok.

 

The new models are the Honda Accord, Honda BR-V and Honda HR-V with a new interior colour.

 

The exhibition and sale of new and used cars from leading auto runs Wednesday through Sunday (June 30) at BITEC in Bang Na.

 

The Accord, a premium sports sedan that fits customers’ different lifestyle needs, offers advanced technologies and is available with two power options.

 

The Accord Turbo EL at Bt1.475 million comes with a 1.5-litre Di VTEC turbo engine. It is highly responsive with maximum torque of 243 Newton-metres produced by Honda’s advanced Direct Injection, with instant response from the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 

 

The powerful turbo engine offers better performance than the 2.4-litre engine of the previous generation, as well as impressive fuel efficiency of 16.4 kilometres per litre, again better than the previous two-litre engine. 

 

In addition, the turbo engine is environmentally friendly and E85-compatible.

 

The Accord Hybrid comes with a Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi- Mode Drive (i-MMD) System with a two-litre Atkinson Cycle DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder, 16-valve engine with two electric motors, E-CVT, and a lithium-ion battery. 

 

The Hybrid is available as a Hybrid fo Bt1.639 million and a Hybrid Tech for Bt1.799 million.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30371786

 

Teen prodigy puts country before cash
By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

 

Thai teen prodigy Atthaya Thitikul is in no hurry to turn professional despite earning widespread praise for her stunning second victory at the Ladies European Thailand (LET) Championship on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108455-thai-teen-golf-prodigy-puts-country-before-cash/

 

Teen prodigy puts country before cash
By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

 

Thai teen prodigy Atthaya Thitikul is in no hurry to turn professional despite earning widespread praise for her stunning second victory at the Ladies European Thailand (LET) Championship on Sunday.

 

The precocious 16-year-old talent made LET history as the youngest player to win twice on the tour, after carding a tournament record 22 under-par-266 to beat the up-and-coming German Esther Henseliet by five strokes.  

 

When Atthaya won her maiden tittle at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya two years ago at just 14 years, four months and nine days old, she also made history then as the youngest golfer to win a main tour pro event. However, the teenager has no plans turn pro soon. She is determined to at least defend her gold medal in December’s SEA Games in Manila. Only amateurs are allowed to compete in the golf competition of the regional sporting event.

 

“I still want to play in the SEA Games, which is another great opportunity to serve the country,’’ said Atthaya, who won two gold medals from individual and team along with Manushchaya Zeemakorn and Thitipa Pakdeesettakul at the 2017 Games in Kuala Lumpur. “It’s always an honour to represent the country, so I want to play for Thailand as long as I can,” added Atthaya.

 

No matter how talented she is, she still regards herself too young to become a professional yet. “I still have a lot more to learn. There are shots that I think I need to improve if I want to pursue a career in golf,” she added.

 

“At this point I’m still in the process of adjusting my new swing. If successful, I believe I will eventually do well on the pro tour.” Atthaya is tipped as the Kingdom’s next golf superstar, following in the footsteps of former world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn.  In any event she may need to wait – she is still two years shy of turning 18, the minimum age for players on the US-based LPGA tour, the most prestigious circuit in women’s golf.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30371766

 

Sa Kaew town launches war on mosquitos amid dengue outbreak

 

 

A tambon in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district was doused in pesticide spray on Wednesday after more than 400 people in the province contracted dengue fever this month, one with fatal results.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1108421-sa-kaew-town-launches-war-on-mosquitos-amid-dengue-outbreak/

 

Sa Kaew town launches war on mosquitos amid dengue outbreak

 

 

A tambon in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district was doused in pesticide spray on Wednesday after more than 400 people in the province contracted dengue fever this month, one with fatal results.

Chitipat Kaenchan, mayor of Ban Dan, led the spray brigade, hoping to greatly reduce the mosquito population.

 

He said the Sa Kaew public health office has reported more than 400 dengue cases, with one fatality, and pledged to spray all seven villages in his municipality regularly.

 

Three residents of the tambon already had dengue, Chitipat said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30371779