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UPDATE:

Rule on recruiting unlicensed teachers changed after outcry
By Keskarn Boonpen,
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NEW RULE on recruiting people without a teaching licence to the profession has changed after intense pressure from teachers and training institutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975793-thai-govt-backs-down-over-jobs-for-unlicensed-teachers/?do=findComment&comment=11751060

Rule on recruiting unlicensed teachers changed after outcry
By Keskarn Boonpen,
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NEW RULE on recruiting people without a teaching licence to the profession has changed after intense pressure from teachers and training institutes.

The rule takes effect today, but will have limited effect. 

Designed to woo graduates from various fields to the teaching profession, the rule now offers teaching jobs in just 25 of 61 academic fields to |people without teaching licences. 

People interested in applying for assistant-teacher posts can do so from today until April 10. 

“We have listened to the voice of teacher-producing institutes,” Education Minister Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said yesterday. “Given that they think the original plan for the new rule might not be fair to their students who are in five-year undergraduate programmes, we have agreed to adjust [the rule].” 

Teerakiat spoke after a meeting with the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission, which has introduced the rule.

The rule initially did not limit people without teaching licences to any fields. When it was unveiled earlier this month, it drew stiff opposition from education institutes.

Education permanent secretary Dr Chaipreuk Sereerak affirmed yesterday that people without teaching licences could apply for teaching posts in fields which the five-year programmes of teacher-training institutes do not cover, such as physical therapy, clinical psychology, financial/accounting, Myanmar and Vietnamese and Spanish language. 

“In addition, we agree to accept applications from people without teaching licences for eight fields that have not or hardly attract qualified candidates such as science, physics, chemistry, biology, English language and German language,” he said. 

According to Chaipruek, people without teaching licences who have successfully passed recruitment exams and interviews will receive intensive training from the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) before they start work. 

Obec secretary general Karoon Sakulpradit said only 9,508 people applied for assistant-teacher posts last year and just 874 passed the recruitment criteria. 

“For biology, only 461 passed the recruitment. That’s why we thought of attracting people without teaching licences to teaching jobs. The people, if qualified, can after all get training and apply for teaching licences later.” He said the move would help end the teacher shortage in many fields. 

Thailand Education Deans Council president Prof Dr Prapansiri Susoarat said the move could violate the rights of students studying in five-year education programmes at teacher-producing institutes because university graduates in other programmes need to spend just four years in campuses. 

“If the new rule will come out this way, should we reconsider reducing the duration of the education programmes?” she said. 

Programmes at teacher institutes have been extended from four to five years to boost teacher quality. 

Educators such as Assoc Prof Sumit Suwan from Kasetsart’s Faculty of Education and Asst Prof Dr Adisorn Naowanondha of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, said there had been a serious lift in quality in recent years, with teacher institutes attracting students with greater talents. “But if you say graduates from other faculties can take teaching jobs too, who will want to enrol into education programmes that will take them one more year to graduate from?” Adisorn said. 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310599

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-29

Voice TV ban ‘an attack on media freedom’
By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

Groups urge NBTC to review station’s 7day suspension

BANGKOK: -- PROFESSIONAL media associations voiced support yesterday for Voice TV and urged the broadcasting regulator to review its decision to ban the station for seven days. 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975850-voice-tv-ban-‘an-attack-on-media-freedom’/

Voice TV ban ‘an attack on media freedom’
By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

Groups urge NBTC to review station’s 7day suspension

BANGKOK: -- PROFESSIONAL media associations voiced support yesterday for Voice TV and urged the broadcasting regulator to review its decision to ban the station for seven days. 

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Monday suspended the digital channel’s licence over repeated misconduct after it broadcast harsh criticism of the military many times.

In a joint statement signed by the Thai Journalists Association and Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, they said the order violated media freedom and could harm all media outlets.

It was unfair to ban the whole station as only some programmes and anchors violated the junta’s orders, they said in a statement. Many other staff were not involved but had been affected by the decision, it said.

While Voice TV has had programmes banned several times since the military coup in 2014, suspension of a station’s operating licence is very rare. 

The NBTC was supposed to be a state agency to protect media freedom from intervention, the associations’ statement continued. “The decision to ban the media due to complaints from the junta reflect the fact that the NBTC has failed to act independently.” So, the decision also affected the credibility of the media regulator, it said.

The decision to ban the TV station was also against the spirit of the referendum-approved charter, which guarantees freedom of expression, it said. 

Thailand is still under a provisional charter issued by the junta after the coup in May 2014, which empowered it to restrict media freedom. The new charter, which was endorsed in a referendum last year, is awaiting royal endorsement.

Executives at Voice TV held a meeting yesterday to discuss getting programmes aired via online platforms, a source said. They had yet to take legal action against the regulator, as the station was still assessing the situation and preparing documents before taking the matter to court, the source said.

Thepchai Yong, president of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, said while it was accepted that the country was under extraordinary rule and media control was prevalent, the NBTC order could raise questions on whether the country could return to normality as promised in the junta’s road map to democracy.

Meanwhile, Voice TV fans hit back at broadcasting officials over the seven-day ban. They denounced the move as a curb on the media and claimed that its reports were the truth – and vowed to follow the station online.

Facebook live coverage of the station’s press conference received mostly “angry” emoticons as station executive Mekin Petchplai clarified Voice TV’s next moves after its suspension.

Viewers also gave moral support, encouraging Voice TV staff to keep up their work so audiences can still watch shows via Facebook and its website.

Voice TV is partly owned by Panthongtae and Pintongta Shinwatra, the son and daughter of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin. 

Supinya Klangnarong, a former NBTC member, wrote on Facebook on Monday that the penalty imposed on the embattled station was disproportionate. The move showed the tendency to limit freedom of expression in the media, she said. Such a selective action would lead to more conflict, she feared.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310597

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-29

Prayut kills national oil company proposal

Protesters against a proposed amendment of the Petroleum Act wear masks depicting Prime Minister General Prayut Chanocha during a press conference Tues. The masks were intended to raise a question about who was behind PM.//Photo : Korbphuk Phromrekha

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has shot down the controversial proposal to set up a new national oil company as envisioned in an amendment to Petroleum Act which is due for a vote in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975849-prayut-kills-national-oil-company proposal/ 

Prayut kills national oil company proposal

Protesters against a proposed amendment of the Petroleum Act wear masks depicting Prime Minister General Prayut Chanocha during a press conference Tues. The masks were intended to raise a question about who was behind PM.//Photo : Korbphuk Phromrekha

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has shot down the controversial proposal to set up a new national oil company as envisioned in an amendment to Petroleum Act which is due for a vote in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) tomorrow.

Prayut said the proposed set-up would be redundant with energy companies currently majority owned by the Finance Ministry.

However, the government wants to speed up enactment of the amended petroleum legislation to boost new investment in the oil and gas sector as existing natural gas concessions are about to expire in the next few years, requiring a clear policy framework to attract investors.

Meanwhile, the People’s Network for Thai Energy Reform continued to push for the establishment of the national oil company to take charge of new petroleum contracts and concessions which will be granted by the government.

On Monday, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, a former deputy premier in the previous Prayut Cabinet, urged the NLA to review the proposed amendment to the Petroleum Act. He argued that a new national oil company would set back the country’s energy sector for decades. 

He also voiced opposition to speculation that the Defence Energy Department would be responsible for running the proposed national oil company in the initial stage.

According to the amendment to the Petroleum Act, Article 10/1 states that a national oil company shall be set up when appropriate. The People’s Network for Thai Energy Reform, led by ex-senator Rossana Tositrakul and former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanartnalanuban, said there should be a specific timeline for setting up a new national company to oversee the management of new petroleum contracts and concessions.

This should be done before the government invites investors to bid for new contracts or concessions for the lucrative Erawan and Bongkot gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand whose existing concessions expire in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Since a major investment is required, the government needs to call bidding five to six years before concessions expire so that private investors have enough time to prepare.

The Erawan and Bongkot gas fields are the country’s two biggest gas sources, accounting for a combined 70 per cent of indigenous gas production in the Gulf of Thailand. The annual value of gas produced by both fields is estimated to be worth around Bt200 billion.

The Rossana-led group said existing oil and gas companies would likely get extensions to their concessions unless there was a new national oil company to manage these energy assets.

However, Prayut insisted he has no plan for the Defence Ministry to take charge of the country’s energy affairs as speculated, but admitted there has been constant pressure from the group to establish a national oil company with threats of holding demonstrations at Government House.

The Rossana-led group also said a new national oil company is needed if additional methods to manage oil and gas assets are to be created. In addition to the concession method, the amendment to the Petroleum Act has included “production sharing contracts” and “service contracts” as new methods for the management of oil and gas resources.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310596

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-29

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Mar 2017
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975848-thailand-live-wednesday-29-mar-2017/

Phuket college confirms students expelled after gang fight

Eakkapop Thongtub

The video shows at least six students attacking a lone student, punching and kicking him even after he is defenceless on the ground. Screengrab: Patthama Sawangroj

PHUKET:-- Phuket Technology College has dismissed comments associated with a video going viral on Thai social media websites of students in a gang attack at the campus in Phuket Town by clarifying that the attack was a year ago and that the students involved had been expelled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975829-phuket-college-confirms-students-expelled-after-gang-fight/

Army chief warns anti-corruption crusader over media visit to border casino 
By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart warned anti-corruption activist Veera Somkwamkid that he risked causing unrest if he went ahead with his plan on Wednesday to take media to the site of a controversial new casino alleged to straddle the Thai-Cambodia border.

Chalermchai said locals made a living at the casino and Veera’s visit could make them feel uncomfortable and lead to a confrontation.

In 2009, Veera led a group to try and prove the area overlapped between Thailand and Cambodia near Phrea Vihear, leading to a skirmish between his group and the locals, the Army chief said.

He wants Veera to think twice about the trip and not use it for personal gain, as the boundary issue was sensitive.

He said Veera should proceed with the case using legal means.

On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he would not be responsible if anything unfortunate happened to Veera.

Prawit said it was a personal decision for Veera to arrange the media inspection and if any unfortunate incident happened to him, including being arrested by Cambodian authorities, he must take care of himself.

The opening of the new casino came under the spotlight after Veera claimed in Facebook posts that it was located in the overlapping border area between Thailand and Cambodia, as well as possibly being located in Ta Phraya National Park, which forms part of a World Heritage site.

Veera questioned why the military government had allowed this to happen, and suspected that a post he made on the issue had led to a warrant being issued for his arrest over a week ago for violation of the Computer Crime Act.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310548

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-28

Govt backs down over jobs for unlicensed teachers
By The Nation

Teeraklat

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin has bowed to pressure from the teaching profession over the plan to let people without licences apply for teaching jobs in any field.

Full story:  http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975793-thai-govt-backs-down-over-jobs-for-unlicensed-teachers/

Govt backs down over jobs for unlicensed teachers
By The Nation

Teeraklat

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin has bowed to pressure from the teaching profession over the plan to let people without licences apply for teaching jobs in any field.

“We have listened to the voice of teacher-producing institutes,” Teerakiat said on Tuesday. “Given that they think the original plan for the new rule might not be fair to their students who are in five-year undergraduate programmes, we have agreed to adjust it.”

The plan had faced intense pressure from teachers and institutes.

The rule will take effect on Wednesday, but with limitations.

Designed to woo graduates from various fields to the teaching profession, the rule now offers teaching jobs in just 25 of the 61 academic fields.

Interested candidates can apply for assistant-teacher posts from today until April 10.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30310546

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-28

Earthquake drill to close Phuket underpass on Thursday

The Phuket News

Darasamut Underpass will be closed to all traffic from 9am-midday on Thursday (Mar 30). Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced today that the Darasamut Underpass will be closed to all traffic for three hours on Thursday morning for an emergency earthquake drill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975791-earthquake-drill-to-close-phuket-underpass-on-thursday/

Earthquake drill to close Phuket underpass on Thursday

The Phuket News

Darasamut Underpass will be closed to all traffic from 9am-midday on Thursday (Mar 30). Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced today that the Darasamut Underpass will be closed to all traffic for three hours on Thursday morning for an emergency earthquake drill.

Speaking to The Phuket News today (Mar 28), Phuket DDPM Office chief Chaithawatch Siwabawon said, “The temporary closure of the underpass is necessary as the DDPM needs to carry out a training exercise for in the event of an earthquake.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/earthquake-drill-to-close-phuket-underpass-on-thursday-61578.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-03-28

Analysis - Changes: Five ways Brexit will transform the EU

By Alastair Macdonald

REUTERS

A man poses with an electronic copy of the Brexit Article 50 bill, introduced by the government to seek parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in front of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Leaving the European Union, to be triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, may transform Britain but it will also change the EU. Here's how:

Full story:  http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975789-analysis-changes-five-ways-brexit-will-transform-the-eu/

Analysis - Changes: Five ways Brexit will transform the EU

By Alastair Macdonald

REUTERS

A man poses with an electronic copy of the Brexit Article 50 bill, introduced by the government to seek parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in front of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Leaving the European Union, to be triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, may transform Britain but it will also change the EU. Here's how:

EU BUDGET: WHERE'S THE MONEY GONE?

The Union's budget accounts for only 2 percent of public spending in the bloc. But in the east, transfers from Brussels contribute a much bigger share - some 8 percent of Poland's budget and nearly a fifth of Bulgaria's.

Without Britain, Brussels will have about a sixth less to give to countries that are net recipients, setting up a fight between east and west over a 7-year spending plan from 2021.

In the short term, there will also be a battle with Britain over what it owes on leaving. London may choose to keep paying for access to some key EU budgets, such as for research. But big accounts, like farm subsidies, could be in for radical review.

BALANCE OF POWER: FRIENDS LEFT IN LURCH

Britain has used its 12-percent share of EU votes to curb Brussels spending and push hard for free trade. Its departure worries smaller northern allies like the Nordics and Dutch.

Poorer easterners, whose membership Britain championed, fret that Germany and France may stiffen barriers to their low-wage workforce or beef up EU federal powers the ex-communist states dislike. Aspiring new members, notably in the Balkans, also lose an ally against rich westerners wary of further EU enlargement.

The 19 euro countries will lose a key block on their caucus power. They can now outvote non-euro states, but only just. A non-euro bloc led by Poland and Sweden would need major dissent among euro countries to prevent the euro zone setting EU policy.

France becomes the EU's only nuclear-armed, veto-wielding U.N. Security Council member and loses a dogged opponent of its ambitions for more EU defence cooperation outside the U.S.-led NATO alliance; defence is already back on Brussels' agenda.

Germany, ambivalent about being seen as dominating Europe by dint of its economic muscle and being home to nearly one post-Brexit EU citizen in five, is uneasy about how to maintain balance, notably with economically struggling co-founder France.

EU IN THE WORLD: A DIMINISHED FORCE

The EU loses a hefty interlocutor with the United States and the wider English-speaking world. A historic diplomatic and military force, Britain's insight and influence with powers like China and Russia or in the Middle East have been useful to the EU. In Africa, a source of growing concern over migration, British aid budgets and other clout have played a key role.

London's tough line with Moscow has won it friends among the likes of the Baltic states and the Netherlands, which fear that a softer approach from France, Italy and, possibly, Germany will undermine a consensus for pressuring Russia with sanctions over its actions in Ukraine or for cutting dependence on Russian gas.

POLITICAL CULTURE: VIVE LE BREXIT?

Though under-represented in the staff of EU institutions, British officials over 44 years of membership have established a key role in senior positions as well as in the EU parliament. That will disappear as British citizens are shut out of EU jobs.

Many governments, notably from smaller states, value what they see as a British approach to administration that is more pragmatic and laissez-faire than the more centralised, dirigiste tradition embedded in the French foundations of the Union.

Britain will leave one legacy likely to survive in the form of English as Brussels' working language, despite some hopes in Paris of restoring the prominence of French.

SURVIVAL GAME: BREAKING THE BREAK-UP TABOO

Since the Brexit vote, EU leaders speak of a renewed unity among the remaining 27. Polls suggest popular support for the EU has broadly increased. But unity will be sorely tested by Brexit negotiations, with governments all having differing priorities.

The unprecedented use of Article 50 of the EU treaty breaks a taboo and means invocations of an "indivisible Union" now ring hollow. Brussels will have to contend with more threats to quit, colouring decision-making across the board for years to come.

(Additional reporting by Waverly Colville; editing by Andrew Roche)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-03-28

French couple cycle into Kingdom and saviour Thai massage course
By Kavintra Chisue
The Nation

KHON KAEN: -- A young couple who left their jobs in France to cycling around Asia have stopped in Khon Kaen province to learn about traditional Thai massage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975787-french-couple-cycle-into-kingdom-and-saviour-thai-massage-course/

French couple cycle into Kingdom and saviour Thai massage course
By Kavintra Chisue
The Nation

KHON KAEN: -- A young couple who left their jobs in France to cycling around Asia have stopped in Khon Kaen province to learn about traditional Thai massage.

Having travelled across China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the two tourists are in Thailand for the first time. 

"We are interested in Thai massage and herbs. So before we visited Thailand, we did some research on the Internet and found that Khon Kaen has a short course to teach foreigners how to do Thai traditional massage," said Claire Sandrine, a graphic designer. 

"We didn't think that Khon Kaen would be a big city," she added.

Sandrine said Khon Kaen was relatively quiet and its hospitality very impressive. 

"Thai people smile easily. So everywhere we go we see people smiling at us," she said, adding that her and her partner, identified only as Athens, were impressed by the northeast’s lifestyle and the region’s big family structure.

The couple took the short course on Thai traditional massage at the International Healthy Massage Club at KK Centrum Hotel in Muang district. 

The hotel’s owner, Thanawan Panthes, a Khon Kaen Industrial Council member, said the course required students to learn the human anatomy and muscle systems to provide therapeutic benefits. 

Thanawan said the lifestyle in Khon Kaen was based on a healthy balance between urbanised modernity and rural way of life, with people still weaving cloths and traditonal handicrafts. 

Most tourists to the Northeast are from Europe and some parts of Asia. Many visitors also don't just come to visit attractions but also learn interesting skills such as how to make Thai traditional handicrafts or how to cook authentic Northeasten-style dishes," she added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310538

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-28

Tinder Tricks: Cops search for men posing as Thai air hostesses on app to scam cash from suitors

By Coconuts Bangkok 

Photo of air hostess for illustration purposes only. Photo: Bayaer/Flickr

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police are hunting two suspects for allegedly using photos of THAI Airways hostesses to deceive men on the popular dating app into thinking they were “matching” with stewardess hotties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975783-tinder-tricks-cops-search-for-men-posing-as-thai-air-hostesses-on-app-to-scam-cash-from-suitors/

Tinder Tricks: Cops search for men posing as Thai air hostesses on app to scam cash from suitors

By Coconuts Bangkok 

Photo of air hostess for illustration purposes only. Photo: Bayaer/Flickr

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police are hunting two suspects for allegedly using photos of THAI Airways hostesses to deceive men on the popular dating app into thinking they were “matching” with stewardess hotties.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) is acting on a report by two air hostesses who claim their personal pictures were stolen from their Facebook pages and used on the dating app without their permission. The pictures may have been used to scam millions of baht from more than 30 men that the fraudsters “flirted” with through the app since 2014.

One of the male victims in Bangkok told cops he sent THB15,000 baht to a supposed air hostess after she told him she was overseas and her credit card wasn’t working...

Full story: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/tinder-tricks-cops-search-men-posing-thai-air-hostesses-app-scam-cash-suitors/

 

-- © Copyright Coconuts Bangkok 2017-03-28

Man robs tollway booth during rainstorm

BANGKOK: -- A man on a motorcycle took the opportunity of heavy rain on Monday to rob at knife point a booth at the Tapchang toll gate on Kanchanapisek Road in Prawes district, getting away with a Bt20,000 in cash. 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975781-man-robs-tollway-booth-during-rainstorm-in-bangkok/

Man robs tollway booth during rainstorm

BANGKOK: -- A man on a motorcycle took the opportunity of heavy rain on Monday to rob at knife point a booth at the Tapchang toll gate on Kanchanapisek Road in Prawes district, getting away with a Bt20,000 in cash. 

Police were told that a man riding on a motorcycle stopped his vehicle near the toll gate at about 4.30am on Monday, ducking under the fence to enter the tollgatr area. Under the cover of  heavy rain, he walked to booth number 1, pulled out a long knife  and snatched all the money, said to be about Bt20,000. He then ran away. The staff alerted police but he was not caught. 

According to the security camera footage at the toll gate, the man was small and alim. He was riding a Honda Sonic but the license plate could not be seen.

This is not the first time that this toll gate booth has been robbed. On April 2, 2013, Wiwat Wilaichon, 33, attacked the booth and stole Bt9,000. He was later arrested and sent to prison.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30310533

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-28

THAI launches direct Beijing-Phuket flights

The Phuket News

A member of the Chinese tour operator and media delegation is welcomed to Phuket. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The inaugural flight of the Thai Airways International (THAI) four-times weekly direct flights from Beijing touched down at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Mar 27), bringing a consortium of tour and travel operators to sample Phuket’s tourism treats in order to sell packages to tourists from mainland China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975777-thai-launches-direct-beijing-phuket-flights/ 

THAI launches direct Beijing-Phuket flights

The Phuket News

A member of the Chinese tour operator and media delegation is welcomed to Phuket. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The inaugural flight of the Thai Airways International (THAI) four-times weekly direct flights from Beijing touched down at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Mar 27), bringing a consortium of tour and travel operators to sample Phuket’s tourism treats in order to sell packages to tourists from mainland China.

“This new THAI route is vital as Phuket becomes ever more popular with tourists and travellers from China who can now conveniently come here for weekends, knowing they’ll find the world’s best beaches, a warm welcome, and unique local experiences that will provide amazing memories,” said Bangornrat Chinaprayoon, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Beijing.

“Phuket is a high-quality, must-see tropical destination and this new air access will allow tourists from our largest market to fly here directly with no hassles and start enjoying the beach and local culture as soon as they touch down.”

THAI is operating four flights per week on the new Beijing-Phuket route, using a 264-seat Dreamliner B787.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/thai-launches-direct-beijing-phuket-flights-61577.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-03-28

Thaksin hit with summons for Bt17.6-bn tax bill 
By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department on Tuesday issued a tax summons demanding former premier Thaksin Shinawatra pay back taxes and fines worth Bt17.63 billion. Tax officials lodged the summons at Thaksin’s home on Charansanitwong Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/975773-thaksin-hit-with-summons-for-bt176-bn-tax-bill/