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Phuket tourism operators call for a convention centre and ‘free port’ Flickr/Andaman4fun …both of which have been on the ‘to do’ list for the island’s stakeholders over the past two decades. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311801-phuket-tourism-operators-call-for-a-convention-centre-and-‘free-port’/

…both of which have been on the ‘to do’ list for the island’s stakeholders over the past two decades. “We’re the only province that still doesn’t have an exhibition hall.” But now tourism operators in Phuket are renewing calls for an international convention centre in the area just north of the airport. They also want the island to be made a free port city, arguing that the combination would have a significantly positive impact on the local economy. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association is also calling for convention centre plans to be expedited before new environmental laws come into effect. Thanet Tantipiriyakit points out that under new laws, the construction of structures larger than 30,000 square metres will be prohibited in the area in question. By Peter Roche Caption: Flickr/Andaman4fun Full story: Phuket GO 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Japanese Tourist Pickpocketed in Pattaya CHONBURI, Nov 10 (TNA) – A Japanese tourist fell victim to theft in Pattaya. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311800-japanese-tourist-pickpocketed-in-pattaya/

CHONBURI, Nov 10 (TNA) – A Japanese tourist fell victim to theft in Pattaya. Mr. Toshiak Shinohe, a Japanese national, reported to the Pattaya City Police Station after being pickpocketed while riding a Songthaew taxi or a modified pickup truck to accommodate passengers along Soi Bua Khao Pattaya in Bang Lamung District. He recounted that he and a friend were on the Songthaew when two ladyboys sat beside him. Full story: Thai News Agency 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai news influencer sparks controversy with news copyright claim Photo courtesy of Sanook Renowned news influencer Chainon Harnkirirat, better known as Off, sparked controversy today when he posted on his Facebook page, Off Chainon, followed by over 490,000 individuals, asserting that his page was not about copying news but summarising it. This statement provoked a strong response from Thapanee Eadsrichai, or Yam, a prominent journalist from The Reporters, who accused Chainon of misinterpreting the profession. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311799-thai-news-influencer-sparks-controversy-with-news-copyright-claim/

Renowned news influencer Chainon Harnkirirat, better known as Off, sparked controversy today when he posted on his Facebook page, Off Chainon, followed by over 490,000 individuals, asserting that his page was not about copying news but summarising it. This statement provoked a strong response from Thapanee Eadsrichai, or Yam, a prominent journalist from The Reporters, who accused Chainon of misinterpreting the profession. Thapanee argued that summarising and rewriting other people’s work, while linking back to various news agencies, does not absolve one of copying. She lamented the plight of journalists who had to weather the elements and endure tedious commutes to gather news, only for their hard work to be summarised and repackaged by others. Thapanee empathised with her fellow journalists who, despite their low wages, persevered out of passion for the job. She urged her colleagues to press on and reassured them of their value and integrity. In the past, the two parties had a disagreement when Duangrit Bunnak organised a faecal-throwing event, during which Chainon screen-captured a live broadcast by The Reporters and posted it on his platform. This led to Thapanee posting a message calling out news copiers, emphasising the hard work of journalists who had to endure unpleasant conditions to gather news, reported Sanook. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Caption: Photo courtesy of Sanook Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Digital wallet boost: Thai government to inject 600,000 million baht into economy Photo: KhaoSod The government is set to inject 600,000 million baht into the economy through the well-documented digital wallet initiative. This programme will provide 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 and above, with an income not exceeding 70,000 baht and savings of no more than 500,000 baht. The initiative, set to run for six months, will be applicable within the citizen’s district as per their identity card. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311798-digital-wallet-boost-thai-government-to-inject-600000-million-baht-into-economy/

The government is set to inject 600,000 million baht into the economy through the well-documented digital wallet initiative. This programme will provide 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 and above, with an income not exceeding 70,000 baht and savings of no more than 500,000 baht. The initiative, set to run for six months, will be applicable within the citizen’s district as per their identity card. The announcement came today, at 2pm from the Government House Puckdee Bodin Building by 61 year old Thai PM Srettha Thavisin, who is also the Minister of Finance. The Bangkok-born PM stated that this is not merely a dream but a reality in progress, with the best possible solution for boosting the economy identified. The 600,000 million baht will be allocated with 500,000 million baht for 50 million households and 100,000 million baht for improving capabilities. However, the proposal must undergo legal processes and receive approval. The government was informed by the Bank of Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council, and other agencies. The conditions for the digital wallet were revised to be more stringent. The government grants spending rights of 10,000 baht to Thais aged 16 and above with income less than 70,000 baht and deposits less than 500,000 baht. If income exceeds 70,000 baht but deposits are 500,000 baht, they will not be eligible. Similarly, if income is below 70,000 baht but deposits exceed 500,000 baht, they will not be eligible. The initiative will run for six months and be extended to the district level. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai government to distribute 10,000 baht through Pao Tang digital wallet next year Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the distribution of 10,000 baht through the Pao Tang digital wallet, indicating readiness with over 1.8 million familiar shops. The public can start using it from May next year. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311797-thai-government-to-distribute-10000-baht-through-pao-tang-digital-wallet-next-year/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the distribution of 10,000 baht through the Pao Tang digital wallet, indicating readiness with over 1.8 million familiar shops. The public can start using it from May next year. At 2pm this afternoon, at the Government House, the 61 year old prime minister and Finance Minister, announced the policy of the 10,000 baht top-up program through the digital wallet. He addressed concerns about the ease of use and participation, announcing the development of the Pao Tang digital wallet system, which has 40 million registered public users and over 1.8 million familiar shops. Pao Tang is technologically ready to reduce time and budget duplication. The Ministry of Finance is familiar with the supervision and prevention of various forms of corruption. They will develop a Pao Tang digital wallet with blockchain technology in the background as a basic structure to prevent corruption. If anyone breaches the system, it can be checked immediately. Having a blockchain will develop basic structures, create transparency, and reduce tangible corruption. This can be used once it passes the interpretation by the attorney general by the end of this year. Introduced to the parliament early next year, the budget will be prepared and the public can use it from May next year, reported KhaoSod. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Caption: Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Noodle shocker: Young man stir-fries his emotions after being billed 300 baht in Don Mueang Photo courtesy of KhaoSod A young man was taken aback when he was charged 300 baht for a plate of stir-fried noodles at a restaurant in Don Mueang. The page Sai Mai Tong Rot (Sai Mai Must Survive) posted a clip of the incident, showing the customer arguing about the high price of the dish. The restaurant justified the cost by stating they used three packets of instant noodles, each costing 12 baht. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311796-noodle-shocker-young-man-stir-fries-his-emotions-after-being-billed-300-baht-in-don-mueang/

A young man was taken aback when he was charged 300 baht for a plate of stir-fried noodles at a restaurant in Don Mueang. The page Sai Mai Tong Rot (Sai Mai Must Survive) posted a clip of the incident, showing the customer arguing about the high price of the dish. The restaurant justified the cost by stating they used three packets of instant noodles, each costing 12 baht. The video showcases a heated exchange between the customer and the restaurant. The customer questioned the hefty price, insisting that each packet of noodles cost only 5 baht. The restaurant replied, stating that each packet costs them 12 baht. The customer continued to express disbelief at the 300 baht price for three packets of noodles, asking repeatedly where the high cost was coming from, reported KhaoSod. “A young man exclaims in surprise! His bill reveals a stir-fried noodle dish for 300 baht a plate. He questions why it’s so expensive! … The restaurant replies that it’s because they use 3 packets!” This occurred at a well-known restaurant on the banks of the Khong in Don Mueang. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Caption: Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai Tourist Police wear new reflective jackets for enhanced public safety The Tourist Police, led by the National Police Chief, have begun to wear new reflective jackets while ensuring public safety for both residents and tourists. The move, spearheaded by Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksira Pheuakam, aims to inspire confidence and security in the preservation of people’s lives and property as the festive season approaches. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311794-thai-tourist-police-wear-new-reflective-jackets-for-enhanced-public-safety/

The Tourist Police, led by the National Police Chief, have begun to wear new reflective jackets while ensuring public safety for both residents and tourists. The move, spearheaded by Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksira Pheuakam, aims to inspire confidence and security in the preservation of people’s lives and property as the festive season approaches. The operation was launched at the centralwOrld shopping complex at the Ratchaprasong intersection, in line with the policies of Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukvimol, the National Police Chief. The new reflective jackets have been distributed to the police stations under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 1-9, Central Investigation Bureau, and Tourist Police Bureau, or areas with significant tourist destinations. The reflective jackets were distributed on October 16, intended for use in maintaining safety for both citizens and tourists. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kwanphol Pengduen emphasised the importance of the new initiative, noting the jackets’ retroreflector colour, which is visible from a distance of 200 to 500 metres. The choice of colour is in line with the uniforms worn by police officers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and numerous other countries. By Samantha Rose Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Commerce Ministry Committed to Boosting Fruit Exports BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce highlighted its role in fostering the growth of businesses domestically and internationally. The Ministry emphasized the aim to enhance agricultural commodity prices and incomes fairly for Thai farmers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311792-commerce-ministry-committed-to-boosting-fruit-exports/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce highlighted its role in fostering the growth of businesses domestically and internationally. The Ministry emphasized the aim to enhance agricultural commodity prices and incomes fairly for Thai farmers. Napintorn Srisanpang, Deputy Minister of Commerce, spoke at the opening of the new headquarters of Platinum Fruit Company Limited, a leader in exporting premium-grade fresh fruits from Thailand. Napintorn stated that the Ministry of Commerce has a crucial role not only in consumer protection and promoting business and trade development but also in supervising fair agricultural product prices and incomes for Thai farmers. He expressed his desire to see Thai exporters, especially those in the fruit sector, continuously expand on the global stage. He sees this as a vital link in bringing Thai fruits from farmers to international renown, thereby creating added value for agricultural products and returning income to Thailand. Similarly, Platinum Fruit has sought opportunities to introduce Thai fruits to new global markets. As Thai exporters expand their agricultural market reach worldwide, the income of the starting point producers — the farmers — will increase as well. The Ministry of Commerce is committed to professionally fostering the growth of Thai businesses through knowledge sharing, innovation promotion, legal advice, reducing trade barriers, and facilitating access to funding. This approach is intended to stimulate the country’s economy and ensure growth across all sectors. By Krajangwit Johjit Full story: NNT 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand aims to become a world festival destination Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced his government’s intention to promote Thailand as a global festival destination, in the hopes of boosting tourism across the country and attracting more foreign tourists over the New Year period. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311791-thailand-aims-to-become-a-world-festival-destination/

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced his government’s intention to promote Thailand as a global festival destination, in the hopes of boosting tourism across the country and attracting more foreign tourists over the New Year period. Srettha announced today that Thailand will host two major events, namely the “Thailand Winter Festival”, which consists of 3,000 festivals and local events across the country, and the “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival 2023”, which includes 200 festivals and events in the capital. All of these will all take place in November and December this year. “Our aim is to use these two major events to boost the country’s economy and attract tourists to Thailand,” Srettha said, while also revealing plans to promote the country as a world festival hub by improving its infrastructure, such as the construction of a new airport on the Andaman coast, as well as the visa-free policy to attract tourists from targeted countries. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-10 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Pattaya Mayor Plans Meeting to Discuss Upcoming 4 AM Bar Closing Policy Mr. Poramase Ngampiches, the Mayor of Pattaya, is set to convene a special meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming 4 AM closing time for nightlife establishments in legal entertainment zones. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311718-pattaya-mayor-plans-meeting-to-discuss-upcoming-4-am-bar-closing-policy/

Mr. Poramase Ngampiches, the Mayor of Pattaya, is set to convene a special meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming 4 AM closing time for nightlife establishments in legal entertainment zones. The meeting was in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s announcement to allow the country’s nighttime venues, including clubs and bars, to operate until 4 AM in a bid to spur the economy. The policy, slated for implementation on December 15th, will be applicable in four sandbox provinces including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chonburi, the home of the resort city of Pattaya. This aims to better align the opening hours of nightspots with the nocturnal preferences of international tourists coming to explore Thailand’s late-night scenes, PM Srettha said. By Tanakorn Panyadee Full story: The Pattaya News 2023-11-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Fares expected to be charged on Green Line extensions around year end : source For the first time, the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC), operator of the Green Line sky train service, is expected to charge passengers for the use of the two extensions, between Mor Chit and Khu Khot and between Bearing and Kheha, in late December or January, said an informed source in the Transport Ministry. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311717-fares-expected-to-be-charged-on-green-line-extensions-around-year-end-source/

For the first time, the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC), operator of the Green Line sky train service, is expected to charge passengers for the use of the two extensions, between Mor Chit and Khu Khot and between Bearing and Kheha, in late December or January, said an informed source in the Transport Ministry. The two extensions have been open to the public for a couple of years now, but BTSC has been unable to charge fares due to a legal technicality, as the Khu Khot station in Pathum Thani province and Kheha station in Samut Prakan are beyond the jurisdiction of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the owner of the two extensions. It is reported that the fare for the two extensions is expected to be Bt15, which would mean that the fare for the entire Green Line route will not exceed 62 baht. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thai politicians, sexual harassment and what really needs to be fixed? Move Forward Party MPs Wuttipong Thonglour and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit were expelled from the party after it was decided by the party’s disciplinary board that they had sexually harassed party volunteers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311716-thai-politicians-sexual-harassment-and-what-really-needs-to-be-fixed/

Move Forward Party MPs Wuttipong Thonglour and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit were expelled from the party after it was decided by the party’s disciplinary board that they had sexually harassed party volunteers. Way before the final decision was made, however, no apology could be heard from the two embattled politicians. What is much more obvious is how they defended themselves with their side of the story, from accusing the victims for also sexually harassing them, exposing messages they exchanged with the victims and even blaming the accusers of being part of a smear campaign to damage the party’s reputation. These two cases are evidence that sexual harassment is not uncommon in Thai political circles, but why? Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-09 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Miss Universe owner files for bankruptcy in Thailand File photo : Thai businesswoman and owner of Miss Universe pageant Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip//AFP The Thai media company that owns the Miss Universe beauty pageant brand said on Thursday it has filed for bankruptcy while it tries to resolve a “liquidity problem”. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1311714-miss-universe-owner-files-for-bankruptcy-in-thailand/