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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 4 February 2025
Thailand Sets Ambitious 3.5 Trillion Baht Tourism Goal for 2025 Picture courtesy: Thai Newsroom Thailand's government has unveiled an ambitious plan to generate 3.5 trillion baht from tourism by 2025, a target primarily reliant on international markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is spearheading this drive with a host of year-round events and robust promotions under the banner of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, aiming to attract 39 million visitors. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1350738-thailand-sets-ambitious-35-trillion-baht-tourism-goal-for-2025/ -
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Thailand Sets Ambitious 3.5 Trillion Baht Tourism Goal for 2025
Picture courtesy: Thai Newsroom Thailand's government has unveiled an ambitious plan to generate 3.5 trillion baht from tourism by 2025, a target primarily reliant on international markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is spearheading this drive with a host of year-round events and robust promotions under the banner of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, aiming to attract 39 million visitors. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has expressed optimism about achieving pre-pandemic levels of tourism revenue and arrivals by the end of this year. While the recent numbers fall short of Japan's, Sorawong emphasises that Thailand's focus is not on competing with other countries but on surpassing its own 2019 success. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's vision extends beyond the official 3 trillion baht target set for TAT, hoping to reach the 3.5 trillion baht mark. To achieve this monumental goal, the government plans to enhance the flow of tourists by increasing inbound flights, introducing an online TM6 immigration form tied to a 300-Baht fee, and improving transport links between primary and secondary cities. The TAT’s promotional strategy revolves around five key concepts: 1. Grand Festivity: Emphasising art, cultural, and music events. 2. Grand Moment: Featuring must-visit routes across Thailand's five regions. 3. Grand Privilege: Offering exclusive promotions for tourists. 4. Grand Invitation: Showcasing the country with visits from well-known figures. 5. Grand Celebration: Highlighting anniversaries with nations like China and France. Key events planned for the first half of the year include the "Maha Songkran: Saneh Thai Carnival" in April and the "Amazing Thailand Love Wins Festival" in June, celebrating the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Thailand. Despite the ambitious targets, tourism operators like Thanet Supornsahasrungsi of the Association of Chonburi Tourism Federation have voiced concerns. Challenges such as the delay in the return of Chinese tour groups, affected by safety perceptions and economic tensions, might hinder attaining the target. Meanwhile, the Chinese economy's sluggish growth and trade tensions with the US are contributing factors. In response, the government plans to bolster domestic tourism through campaigns like "We Travel Together," slated to relaunch in June, which could boost local tourism despite weak domestic purchasing power. Initiatives that enable remote work for travellers could further energise the domestic market. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, former Thai Hotels Association president, acknowledged the challenges yet remains optimistic that the increase in new hotels, flights, and events could make the 3.5 trillion baht target feasible, provided the strategic plans are effectively implemented, reported TAT News, Bangkok Post. -- 2025-02-04 -
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Canada
Booing the star spangled banner is just incredibly bad manners. Shame on Canadians for stooping so low. Take the high road you idiots. Boo with your wallets. Buy stuff made in Canada. Idiots! -
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Norway’s Energy Crisis Is a Warning the UK Cannot Ignore
Not everybody. How many inhabitants of Westminster are in that category ? -
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Biden’s Clemency Moves Sparked Backlash Within His Own Justice Department
As his presidency drew to a close, Joe Biden sought to correct what he and his advisers saw as a major injustice by commuting the sentences of thousands of individuals incarcerated for drug offenses. The decision was meant to be historic, a reflection of Biden’s belief in second chances and the need for criminal justice reform. However, within the Justice Department, the move triggered frustration and dismay, with officials arguing that many of those granted clemency had violent pasts and did not meet the department’s usual standards for such mercy. On his final Friday in office, Biden commuted nearly 2,500 prison sentences, stating that the decision would reunite individuals serving disproportionately harsh sentences for nonviolent offenses with their families and communities. “I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,” Biden declared. Despite the bold action, the process was met with sharp internal criticism. Only 258 of those granted clemency—around 10%—had been recommended by the Justice Department. According to an internal email dated January 18 and viewed by *The Wall Street Journal*, Biden’s list included individuals with violent histories who would not have qualified under the department’s usual guidelines. Elizabeth Oyer, the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, addressed the concerns in an email to U.S. attorneys across the country, acknowledging the frustration among prosecutors. “While I am a strong believer in the possibility of second chances through clemency, the process by which yesterday’s action was carried out was not what we had hoped and advocated for,” she wrote in the message, which was marked “confidential and law enforcement sensitive.” She further admitted, “I understand that some of the clemency grants are very upsetting.” Some of those granted commutations were released within days, while others will be freed in the coming months. In certain cases, Biden opted to reduce sentences rather than eliminate them entirely, leaving some inmates to serve additional years behind bars. However, concerns grew over the inclusion of individuals accused of severe crimes beyond drug offenses, including gang-related activities, sexual violence, and conspiracy to commit murder. “This action was not carried out in consultation with the Office of the Pardon Attorney and there was little coordination with the Department,” Oyer wrote in her email. She acknowledged that while many recipients were deserving of clemency, others were not, adding that the White House disregarded the Justice Department’s recommendations—choosing individuals who had been explicitly rejected while overlooking hundreds of those whom the department had endorsed. Oyer’s criticisms held particular weight within the department, given her background as a federal public defender. Her 2022 appointment was intended to bring a defense lawyer’s perspective to the clemency process and improve efficiency in reviewing petitions. The backlash to Biden’s commutations only intensified scrutiny of his last-minute executive decisions, adding to existing controversy over his pardons for family members. In addition to commuting sentences, Biden preemptively pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who had been found guilty of gun offenses and pleaded guilty to tax charges, as well as his three siblings and their spouses, none of whom were facing legal charges at the time. The response to Biden’s actions underscores the tensions between the White House’s vision for justice reform and the Justice Department’s established protocols. While the commutations were celebrated by advocates for sentencing reform, they left many within the administration grappling with the ramifications of a clemency process that, in their view, was rushed and lacked proper oversight. Based on a report by WSJ 2025-02-04 -
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Keir Starmer’s GB Energy Jobs Promise Could Take Two Decades, Admits Company Boss
Labour’s plan to create 1,000 jobs in Aberdeen through its flagship GB Energy initiative could take up to 20 years, according to the company’s chairman. The state-owned energy firm, central to Labour’s green agenda, aims to help workers transition from the oil and gas sector while investing in renewable projects. However, Juergen Maier, appointed by Downing Street to lead the start-up, has acknowledged that delivering on this jobs pledge will be a long-term effort. Sir Keir Starmer has positioned GB Energy as a key element of Labour’s commitment to lowering household energy bills, promising reductions of up to £300. The initiative, headquartered in northeast Scotland, is part of a broader mission to provide lasting financial relief to families, rather than just short-term savings. Despite this ambitious vision, Maier, in his first broadcast interview, refrained from specifying when consumers would see tangible benefits. "I know that you are asking me for a date as to when I can bring that, but GB Energy has only just been brought into creation and we will bring energy bills down," Maier told Sky News, emphasizing the project's long-term nature. Unlike traditional energy suppliers, GB Energy will not provide power directly to households. Instead, it aims to fund renewable projects while attracting private investment. Labour hopes the initiative will play a key role in shifting the workforce away from oil and gas, but concerns remain among those currently employed in the industry. The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce estimates that around 50,000 local workers are involved in the sector, many of whom feel uncertain about the transition. Russell Borthwick, chief executive of the chamber, acknowledged the promise behind GB Energy but stressed the need for immediate progress. "I think the [GB Energy] ambition is good. It needs some quick wins. Right now, this city is nervous. We need to give the industry more confidence that things are going to start moving more quickly," he said. He added that while there have been positive discussions with GB Energy, the next six months will be crucial in demonstrating real action. The UK government has also maintained its stance on the 1,000-jobs target, with Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP recently reiterating that the ambition remains unchanged. However, when pressed on the timeline for job creation, Maier provided a cautious outlook. "Great British Energy itself is going to create over the next five years, 200 or 300 jobs in Aberdeen. That will be the size of our team," he said, suggesting that further expansion would take much longer. When asked directly if fulfilling the full 1,000-job commitment could take two decades, he confirmed, "Absolutely." Expanding on this, Maier explained: "Look, we grow these companies. Energy companies grow over 10 or 20 years, and we are going to be around in 20 years." His remarks underscore the scale of Labour’s ambition but also highlight the gradual nature of the transition. For now, Aberdeen remains in a state of anticipation, with local workers and industry leaders seeking clearer timelines and immediate actions to support the region’s evolving energy sector. Whether GB Energy can deliver on its promises within a reasonable timeframe remains to be seen. Based on a report by Sky News 2025-02-04
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