British Passport RENEWAL Forms & Information (06/22)
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How do you like your pizza?
Here's one from Mancini's in Belfield, Sydney that will probably annoy lots of Italians. Tasted like heaven to me 😂 Diablo $31.90 Beef, sour cream, pepperoni, onion, tomato, jalapenos & avocado -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Sunday 15 June 2025
Private Sector Raises Alarm Over Southern Thailand’s Tourism Slump as Chinese Visitors Vanish Picture courtesy of Matichon. Southern Thailand’s tourism sector is sounding the alarm over a noticeable decline in international tourist arrivals, with business leaders pointing to the suspension of Malaysian tour bus operations and the disappearance of Chinese tourists amid safety concerns. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363681-private-sector-raises-alarm-over-southern-thailand’s-tourism-slump/ -
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Tourism Private Sector Raises Alarm Over Southern Thailand’s Tourism Slump
Picture courtesy of Matichon. Southern Thailand’s tourism sector is sounding the alarm over a noticeable decline in international tourist arrivals, with business leaders pointing to the suspension of Malaysian tour bus operations and the disappearance of Chinese tourists amid safety concerns. Mr. Songchai Mungprasitichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, stated that tour operators in the region, who previously helped develop tourism markets in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga targeting Malaysian and Singaporean travellers, have witnessed a sharp drop in cross-border traffic since local authorities restricted Malaysian tour buses from travelling beyond Songkhla province. “Currently, Songkhla does not permit Malaysian tour buses to travel beyond its borders, only private vehicles such as cars and vans. This has significantly disrupted the tourist flow to Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga during the low season,” said Mr. Songchai. Before the restrictions, some 7,000–8,000 Malaysian tourists arrived monthly by bus during the May–October low season, contributing to over 100,000 arrivals annually. With average spending of 10,000 baht per tourist, the region used to generate more than 1 billion baht each year from this segment alone. “European markets naturally slow down after the high season. That’s when we used to rely on regional tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and also domestic travellers,” he added. Mr. Songchai also highlighted the impact of Thailand’s deteriorating image among Chinese tourists. According to feedback from overseas travel networks, concerns over safety, driven by reports of call centre scams and fraud targeting Chinese nationals, have led to widespread travel advisories and a sharp drop in arrivals. “Many Chinese tourists are now choosing alternative destinations in Asia such as Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. The perception that Thailand is unsafe has had a profound impact on their decisions,” he said. Despite Thailand and Malaysia signing an MoU to allow mutual cross-border bus operations, Thai authorities have yet to implement the agreement effectively. Mr. Songchai urged southern provinces, including Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, to unite and petition the government to resolve the issue. He pointed to the economic benefits of reinstating cross-border travel, citing the success of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s annual Phra That Temple Robe Offering Festival, which alone attracts Malaysian devotees and circulates 300–400 million baht over a three-month period. He also noted that Thai tourists frequently travel to Malaysia by road via provinces such as Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Satun and that the potential for outbound Thai tourism may currently outpace inbound travel from Malaysia. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Wiwat Chankringthong, Manager of the Business Innovation Research Centre at Hatyai University, revealed the results of a recent confidence index survey for southern Thailand. The study showed a decline in public confidence in May compared to April, largely due to stagnation in the tourism sector. Dr. Wiwat identified a dramatic drop in Chinese arrivals as a primary concern, attributing the decline to negative media coverage of tourist safety in Thailand, competition from neighbouring countries with active tourism promotion campaigns and more favourable safety perceptions elsewhere in Asia. As Chinese tourists shift to regional alternatives, Thailand is losing substantial revenue, with southern provinces bearing the brunt of the fallout. Stakeholders are now calling for urgent action to restore confidence, improve safety perceptions and revitalise long-standing cross-border tourism channels. Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-15 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Sunday 15 June 2025
UPDATE Double Murder Suspect Captured After Five-Day Forest Manhunt in Chiang Rai Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A 55-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife and her younger brother has been captured after a five-day manhunt in the mountainous Thai–Lao border region. The suspect, identified only as Mr Songpor, was arrested in the evening of 13 June after emerging from the forest in search of food. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1363282-hunt-underway-in-chiang-rai-as-suspected-double-murderer-remains-at-large-village-in-fear/#findComment-19872590
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