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What excites you the most about Thailand?
That excites you the most about Thailand? -
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Trump pauses some Canada and Mexico tariffs until next month
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for temporarily suspending tariffs on most Mexican goods, following their recent imposition. "We had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration has given unprecedented results," Sheinbaum stated in a post on X, written in Spanish. She reaffirmed that Mexico would continue working with the US on key issues such as migration and security, specifically mentioning efforts to curb the illegal flow of fentanyl into the US while also addressing the smuggling of weapons into Mexico. She confirmed that the suspension would remain in effect until April 2. The pause on tariffs applies to goods covered by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal that replaced NAFTA in 2020 during Trump's first term in office. Trump had pushed for changes to NAFTA, with the new agreement granting the US greater access to Canada’s dairy market and allowing for increased imports of Canadian automobiles. The decision to suspend some tariffs on Mexican goods comes a day after Trump announced a temporary exemption for North American car manufacturers that comply with USMCA regulations. Despite this concession, Trump remained critical of Canada, accusing the country of failing to prevent drug trafficking into the US. Reports indicate that the relief on tariffs contributed to a rise in US stocks, which had suffered two days of losses that erased gains made since the November presidential election. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described a recent phone call with Trump regarding tariffs as “colorful.” According to CBC News, citing a senior Canadian government source, the conversation turned heated, with Trump reportedly using profane language multiple times while discussing dairy trade. Trudeau characterized the nearly hour-long call as “substantive” and said discussions were ongoing. Meanwhile, the US treasury secretary took a pointed jab at Trudeau, advising foreign leaders to remain composed in negotiations with Trump. "If you want to be a numbskull like Justin Trudeau and say, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this,’ then tariffs are probably going to go up," he said. Sheinbaum also highlighted Mexico’s efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling, stating that she had presented Trump with data showing a significant decrease in the drug’s movement across the border. "In February, the reduction in fentanyl seizures on the US side of the border with Mexico was reduced by 41.5%," she said during a news conference. She credited the deployment of 10,000 border guards and enhanced customs inspections as measures that were "giving results." However, she also questioned the impact of the tariffs, asking Trump, "Now that you put in the tariffs—how are we going to continue cooperating and collaborating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?" Canada has been granted the same temporary tariff suspension as Mexico, covering goods under the USMCA agreement until April 2. However, because a smaller percentage of Canadian exports fall under the agreement compared to Mexico, some goods from both countries remain subject to tariffs. White House officials explained that Trump’s decision to pause tariffs was influenced by commitments from automakers to shift supply chains back to the US. Additionally, they cited the efforts of both Mexico and Canada to combat fentanyl trafficking as another factor in his decision. Trump signed two executive orders in the Oval Office titled: “Amendments to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border” and “Amendments to Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Southern Border.” Despite these temporary concessions, Trump warned that further trade measures could be coming, stating that April 2 would be a pivotal moment when other countries might face reciprocal tariffs. He singled out Canada, labeling it a “high-tariff nation” and claiming that the US does not rely on its exports. "We don’t need trees from Canada, we don’t need cars from Canada, we don’t need energy from Canada, we don’t need anything from Canada," he declared. When pressed about whether similar exemptions might be granted to car manufacturers next month, Trump responded, "We’re not looking at that." Based on a report by BBC 2025-03-07 -
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Japanese Tourist's 160,000 Baht Returned by Honest Taxi Driver
Picture courtesy of FM91 A Bangkok taxi driver has been lauded for his integrity and kindness after finding and returning a bag containing nearly 160,000 baht to a Japanese tourist. The story unfolded when Chum Kamwiangsa, a 63-year-old driver from Phrae, discovered the forgotten item in his taxi. After picking up a passenger from Wat Arun and dropping them off at Pansuk Lane, the next fare noticed the left-behind bag. Realising it was not his, Chum quickly took the initiative to bring it to the Sorp Vor Por FM91 radio station to track down the owner. Inside the black tote was a red wallet and a small white purse holding various currencies, including US dollars, Japanese yen, Korean won, and Vietnamese dong, equating to about 160,000 baht. Identification inside revealed the owner as a Japanese tourist named Ayaka. The radio station staff at Sorp Vor Por FM91 acted swiftly, utilising contacts with local agencies and a central Bangkok hotel identified from documents in the bag. They confirmed the bag belonged to a Japanese visitor who had stayed in the hotel but returned to Japan. The hotel coordinated to collect the bag on the owner's behalf. Chum was initially unaware of the amount of money involved, concerned mainly about returning the belongings to prevent any inconvenience to the tourist. Relieved once the owner was found, he entrusted Sorp Vor Por FM91, a station he regularly tuned into, to handle the return process. The tourist expressed profound gratitude upon learning her belongings were found and safeguarded, showing appreciation for Chum’s honesty and the efforts made to return the bag. She anticipates returning to Thailand next month, reassured by the kindness she experienced, reported Daily News. -- 2025-03-07 -
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Transfer of Three Airports to AOT Delayed by Transport Ministry
File photo for reference only. The Transport Ministry of Thailand has delayed the transfer of three significant airports—Krabi, Udon Thani, and Buri Ram—from the Department of Airports to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT). This decision comes amid concerns about income generation and operational continuity. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated on Thursday that plans to hand over the management of these airports would be postponed indefinitely. Cited reasons include these airports' role as vital income sources for the Department of Airports, a necessity that could serve as a blueprint for enhancing the operations of 25 other regional airports. The minister elaborated that reconsidering the pros and cons of the transfer is crucial. However, a ministry insider disclosed that the plan was shelved due to issues related to employee preferences and property rights—department personnel are reportedly uneasy about transitioning to state enterprise roles, and there are complications about transferring state assets to a public enterprise like AOT. Moreover, the department believes retaining these airports will enable it to self-finance its 25 other airports, reducing the reliance on government funds. Previously, on 30 August 2022, the Cabinet had authorised the transfer of these airports to AOT, but the switch was never executed. In the wake of this decision, Deputy Minister Manaporn has tasked the Department of Airports with the development of all 28 state-owned airports under its management to foster self-sustaining income. She has emphasised the eradication of any undue influence, particularly in airports where such issues have been problematic, like Krabi. The initiative aims to create distinctive identities for these airports, tying them to local tourism and enhancing connectivity with public transport networks. The planned development will start with Krabi airport, which has been plagued with issues of influence and exploitation. The development plan also calls for airports to conduct fair bidding processes to allow private firms to manage commercial spaces effectively, thus boosting revenue streams. Additionally, renovation committees are to be formed, including representatives from local government agencies, such as provincial land transport offices, to streamline the integration of airport transportation with nearby tourist sites and enhance overall operational efficiency. This multipronged approach aims to ensure the long-term economic viability and improved service quality of these key regional airports, all while preserving governmental oversight and control, reported The Nation. -- 2025-03-07 -
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Thailand Eyes Banana Farming to Support Struggling Rice Farmers
Picture courtesy of Wikipedia In light of tumbling rice prices, the Thai government plans to encourage rice farmers to diversify their crops by cultivating bananas. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced this initiative on Thursday, suggesting that bananas could provide a lucrative alternative due to their high yield and demand in international markets such as Japan. Currently, Thailand produces around 8,000 tonnes of bananas annually, with the potential to export approximately 2,000 tonnes. The aim is to tap into Japan's burgeoning demand for bananas, estimated at one million tonnes a year, creating a promising opportunity for Thai farmers to supplement their income. The proposal, however, faced scepticism in parliament. People's Party MP Narongdech Ularnkul questioned the government's commitment to rescuing the plunging rice prices, urging Minister Pichai to consult with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry before advising farmers to make the switch to bananas. Amidst these discussions, Narongdech voiced concerns about the leadership within the National Rice Policy and Management Committee, questioning if the current government's leadership fully appreciates the farmers’ plight, especially since the post traditionally held by the prime minister is now occupied by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. To aid rice farmers, Pichai revealed plans to offload rice stockpiles through agreements with African countries and China. Discussions with India and Vietnam are also on the horizon to form strategies for stabilising rice prices. Additionally, a proposal to support rice prices by offering farmers an extra 1,000 baht per tonne for off-season rice awaits Cabinet approval. Coupled with current market rates, farmers could potentially receive around 9,500 baht per tonne. As the government explores diversification to bolster incomes, the debate underscores the broader challenge of balancing immediate market intervention with long-term agricultural sustainability. Ultimately, the success of this initiative may hinge on effective collaboration across governmental agencies and addressing the farmers' real-time concerns, reportedn Bangkok Post. -- 2025-03-07 -
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50m Baht Casino Entry Requirement Up for Future Debate
Casino file photo courtesy: Wikipedia In a move likely to spark debate, the Thai Ministry of Finance has indicated that the draft Entertainment Complex Bill will propose that only individuals with a bank balance of at least 50 million baht may enter Thai casinos. Despite differing opinions within the government, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat emphasised that parliament will have the final say on this controversial clause. The proposed requirement follows recommendations from the Council of State, the government's legal advisory body. This stipulation is part of an effort to regulate the casino industry while considering potential societal impacts. Mr Julapun, however, argues against this hefty financial threshold, stating it overlooks the significant number of Thais who gamble abroad. He proposed an alternative that involves proof of tax payment for three consecutive years and a 5,000 baht entry fee. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for casinos to become breeding grounds for grey and black market operations. Critics fear this could position Thailand as a hub for illegal financial activities. Mr Julapun dismissed these worries, asserting that strict national regulations and standards will be enforced. Moreover, he believes that reputable foreign investors, involved in multiple global markets, would be deterred from engaging in illicit activities due to the risk of losing licences in other countries. The Entertainment Complex Bill, encompassing casino operation guidelines, is a key policy of the Pheu Thai Party, the leading party in the current government. It aims not only to regulate gambling but also to enhance Thailand's tourism appeal by establishing entertainment hubs alongside its existing nature-based attractions. Foreign investment interest, particularly for projects valued over 100 billion baht, is being approached with caution. Investors will be required to operate transparently and comply with stringent regulations, which include periodic reviews every five years to ensure lawful operations. This legislative approach is intended to attract only credible international participants, thereby maintaining the integrity of the Thai financial and tourist landscapes. As the bill makes its way to parliament, the debate over the entry requirement reflects a broader conversation about balancing economic growth with social responsibility. While the objective is to boost tourism and economic activity, the details of the regulations will ultimately shape the landscape of Thailand's evolving entertainment complex industry. Parliament's eventual decision will be crucial in setting the tone for this new chapter in Thailand's tourism and gambling sectors, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2025-03-07
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