Lao borders (some at least) now requiring overnight stay?
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Grab Thailand launches new cash loans for partner merchants
Grab Thailand announced a revamped portfolio of cash loans aimed at its partner merchants, offering three distinct loan products to cater to businesses of all sizes. The new offerings include loan amounts up to 10 million baht with interest rates capped at 1% per month for larger businesses. The initiative aims to boost working capital, enhance liquidity, and support entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses amidst challenging economic conditions. The loans boast user-friendly application processes, requiring no paperwork, quick approvals within one day, and convenient daily repayments. Chansuda Thananityaudom, Deputy Managing Director of Commerce and Marketing at Grab Thailand, highlighted the sluggish economic environment influenced by both domestic and international factors. She noted that Thailand’s household debt levels remain high, impacting the uptake of new loans. The second quarter also saw continued pressure from loan repayments, particularly in the public and business sectors, causing the commercial bank loan market to slow down by approximately 0.3% compared to the same period last year. Forecasts suggest that the loan market in 2024 will grow only by 1.5%, down from the previously expected 3%. Despite the overall slowdown in the loan market, Grab’s loan services have shown robust performance and continuous growth, especially in providing loans to partner merchants. In the first half of the year, the number of merchants receiving cash loans from Grab increased by more than 15% compared to the previous year. The non-performing loan (NPL) rate stood at 2.35%, which is lower than the national average, reflecting the quality of borrowers within Grab’s ecosystem. Big Data Grab has integrated AI and Big Data technologies into its risk assessment procedures, using a Behavioural Scorecard that evaluates the transaction behaviours of partner merchants via the application. This approach ensures more accurate loan approvals and reduces the risk of defaults. Most entrepreneurs seeking loans from Grab require funds for working capital and liquidity enhancement. They use these loans for various purposes, such as purchasing raw materials, managing stock, handling employee payroll, managing cash flow, refurbishing storefronts, upgrading technology, and expanding their businesses. Grab’s cash loan products for partner merchants are designed to assist small business operators and owners of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The loan limits are tailored to match the size and type of business, including: 1. Instant Cash Loan: Targeting small business operators (individual business owners) such as small shop owners, street food vendors, and small restaurants. The loan amount is up to 100,000 baht with an interest rate not exceeding 2.75% per month and a repayment period of up to nine months. 2. Instant Cash Loan Plus: Aimed at larger small business operators (individual business owners) who own bigger shops or have multiple branches. The loan amount is up to 1 million baht with an interest rate not exceeding 2.08% per month and a repayment period of up to 12 months. 3. Instant Cash Loan Extra: Designed for SME or franchise business owners operating as legal entities. The loan amount is up to 10 million baht with an interest rate not exceeding 1% per month and a repayment period of up to 12 months. In addition to loan services, Grab has partnered with Chubb Samaggi Insurance Public Company Limited to develop an insurance service for Grab’s partner merchants called Business Protection Insurance. This insurance offers coverage against unforeseen events such as fires or natural disasters like floods, with coverage amounts up to 5 million baht and premiums starting at just 14 baht per day, reported KhaoSod. By Puntid Tantivangphaisal Photo courtesy of KhaoSod Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-09-13 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Any advantages to retirement over marriage visa?
That was the year after the 3 Embassies stopped issuing Income letters. Immigration showed leniency for those switching to the income via monthly overseas transfers. -
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Revisiting History: The Unlikely Campaign to Vilify Winston Churchill
Very few people would disagree with your first sentence. Unfortunately, I can't find Cooper's interview anywhere, so if you have a link could you please post it. (Thanks). However, from the OP Cooper's main contention are that " (1) Churchill was responsible for spreading the war beyond Poland in 1939 (2) refusing to negotiate with Hitler in 1940 (was a mistake?) and (3) ordering the bombing of German cities (was unnecessary?) (1) Imo absolute nonsense. Hitler broke the Munich Agreement. What choices were left to the UK and France other than to declare war? (2) If the UK had negotiated peace, Europe would have been led by a Nazi dictatorship, the implications of which don't bear thinking abou. Personally, I don't think that any further discussion and/or elaboration is necessary (3) More contentious and there is a strong moral argument to support this view. -
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Plug and Play Solar
This is available in the US as a DIY kit… has anyone seen something similar here?… https://eg4electronics.com/categories/high-efficiency-appliances/eg4-12k-hybrid-solar-unit/ -
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Phuket Named World’s Most Overcrowded Destination Amid Tourism Boom
CHEAP mass tourism is turning away quality tourists. The policiese of this current government to open the doors to tourists from China and India WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS was a disgusting mistake. -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 13 September 2024
ETDA plugs in: Powering up Thailand’s digital economy for 2024 Picture courtesy of 123RF Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) unveiled plans to further its role as a co-creation regulator and promoter next year, aiming to boost the digital economy’s value and generate positive social impact. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1338096-etda-plugs-in-powering-up-thailand’s-digital-economy-for-2024/ -
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KFC in decline?
I'd rather eat 5-Star Chicken or Gai Op sold by road-side vendors. -
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Western Union better than “Wise”
Just did Bht 10,000 from GBP to Bangkok bank.........seconds! -
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ETDA plugs in: Powering up Thailand’s digital economy for 2024
Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) unveiled plans to further its role as a co-creation regulator and promoter next year, aiming to boost the digital economy’s value and generate positive social impact. The ETDA intends to enhance the nation’s digital infrastructure, focusing on promoting e-document management, improving governance of digital platform services, and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for good governance and effective data sharing. Additionally, the agency seeks to develop and refine related laws and standards. Discussions are underway with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC) about the potential establishment of a national AI centre in Thailand. The ETDA will continue to drive the adoption of digital ID for the planned digital document wallet and will support the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through funding. The agency aims to develop 90,000 highly skilled digital workers by 2027. These initiatives are designed to increase the contribution of Thailand’s digital economy to 30% of the total GDP and elevate the country to the top 30 in the digital competitiveness ranking by 2027, said ETDA executive director Chaichana Mitrpant. “Thailand is transitioning from a traditional economy to a digital economy. ETDA needs to continue its role as both a co-creation regulator and promoter of the digital economy to build trust in online transactions, improve the country’s competitiveness, and provide a better digital life for people.” Digital economy Currently, the ETDA manages crucial digital infrastructure such as digital ID, timestamp, digital signature, and certificate authority (CA) systems. There are 18 million digital ID users, with 449 government e-services already connected to digital ID systems out of 1,626 state e-services. A total of 12 companies hold 16 licences for providing digital ID services. ETDA aims to equip 80% of government services with digital ID by 2025. The agency is also contemplating the development of a digital document wallet, which would serve as a digital repository for storing and managing verifiable credentials. These credentials could include information verifying an individual’s identity or qualifications, such as a driver’s licence, educational certificates, health information, or other relevant data. Moreover, ETDA plans to enhance its oversight of digital platform services. As of September 2024, 1,813 digital service platforms have registered their information in compliance with the digital platform service decree that took effect last year. Chaichana noted that the agency would enforce the decree more stringently. “We will analyse the impacts on platforms like ride-hailing and food delivery and also e-commerce platforms to ensure appropriate consumer protection.” ETDA will also promote AI governance and data sharing to ensure the ethical use of AI and secure data sharing in an AI-based context, Chaichana said. “Some countries like Singapore have a national AI agency. We need to discuss this with Nectec on the position of Thailand in this regard.” The agency believes that updating relevant laws and standards to encourage the use of technology and innovation through an innovation sandbox is crucial for progress, reported Bangkok Post. By Bright Choomanee Picture courtesy of 123RF Source: The Thaiger -- 2024-09-13 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe -
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Trying to find a bicycle that is comfortable to ride
Back in the day and over the last 40 years I've had a number of different bicycles from 10 speeds to 21 speed on and offroad bikes. Nowadays I just want a comfortable bicycle with a minimal number of gears for riding on relatively flat roads. I want my arms higher than by seat, in other words I do not want be be bent over (I could care less about aerodynamics) but yet a need to be able to get a full extension with my legs without feeling like I'm cramped up - I used to ride 26 inch frames which felt good. My last bicycle had a smaller frame and I eventually sold it because it was simply too uncomfortable to ride. Someone suggested a "City Bike" so I looked one up. This look about right, but the price is utterly stupid. The first bike pictured is a $1500 bike. <laughs> But this is the "form" of the bike that I think would work well. I had AI generate the second picture for reference. Does anyone know where I can buy something like this for 10K THB or under. I'd be buying it in Chiang Mai but I'm open to suggestions for make/models. As a note: I really dislike going into bicycle shops as I'm too often feeling pushed by the staff to buy a bike that isn't what I'm looking for. That's exactly how I ended up with my last bicycle which I ended up hating. Part of the problem is they would not allow me to ride it before buying. Anyway - open to suggestions. -
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Phuket Named World’s Most Overcrowded Destination Amid Tourism Boom
even less of a dent,then. The official population of Phuket is about 75,000, the average number of Tourist per month is 1 million.
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