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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024049

Thai beauty Anna has ‘no regrets’ about joining Miss Universe pageant

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

Thai beauty queen Anna Sueangam-iam insisted she had no regrets after failing to qualify for the final round of 16 contestants at the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans on Saturday night.

Writing in an Instagram post on Monday, Anna expressed satisfaction with her performance and said everybody should be happy for her.

“Anna is now feeling better,” said the post, adding that it was best to live in the present.

It went on to say that the Miss Universe pageant had given her plenty of experiences as well as the chance to show that everyone can fulfil their dreams whoever they are.

Anna rose from humble beginnings as the daughter of trash collectors in Bangkok.

On Monday, she also asked fans to continue to follow her career.

American model R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Bangkok time) in New Orleans. Venezuela’s Amanda Dudamel and Dominican Republic’s Andreína Martínez were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Though she failed to make the final round of 16, Anna won the Transformational Leadership Award. The award was being presented for the first time, in a collaboration between the Miss Universe brand and ImpactWayv, a global social impact platform “uniting people, businesses and nonprofits to accelerate their collective impact”.

Related stories:

• Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant
• Thai beauty queen wows New Orleans with glittering gown made from pull tabs
• Thai Miss Universe hopeful uses shawl to celebrate unity in racial diversity

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024048

Trouble ahead for Thai nominees behind Chinese-owned restaurants in Yaowarat

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

The government has taken heed of public suspicion that Chinese investors have been setting up restaurants via Thai nominees in Bangkok’s Chinatown, a government spokesperson said in response to complaints.

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Monday that relevant government agencies have been instructed to investigate whether the complaints circulating via social networks are true.

Local food vendors have been complaining that Chinese investors have been taking away their business by setting up eateries via Thai nominees in Bangkok’s Yaowarat or Chinatown area.

Yaowarat is popular among Chinese tourists and rumour has it that Chinese tycoons have opened restaurants to cater to them.

Rachada said the Commerce and Labour ministries have joined forces with Royal Thai Police, the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Special Branch and local police stations to investigate the issue.

She said foreigners can only set up food and beverage businesses once they receive a permit from the Business Development Department.

She said that though foreigners need Thai partners, these partners are required to provide bank certificates proving that they have enough assets to make an investment as legal entities, Rachada added.

She said Thais who are nominees of foreign businessmen can face a maximum jail term of three years and/or a fine of between 100,000 and 1 million baht. They can also face a daily fine of between 10,000 and 50,000 baht.

Last year, Bangkok’s Chinatown was voted the world’s 8th most interesting street to visit thanks to its history and food culture.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024047

Good teachers make good citizens, says PM to mark Teacher’s Day

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

Teachers are key to turning children into good, high-quality humans who can drive the country towards a brighter future, the premier announced on Monday.

“Apart from providing knowledge and skills to students, teachers also have the important role of training students to become good citizens and become responsible for communities, society and the nation,” government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri quoted the PM as saying.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s speech marking National Teacher’s Day was broadcast via MCOT HD channel at 6.30am and again via the NBT channel at 10.33am.

Thailand marks National Teachers Day on January 16 every year.

Anucha said the government is focusing on developing teachers’ potential and their quality of life to ensure they become an important force to drive the country’s education sector.

He added that this year’s Teacher’s Day slogan devised by Prayut is: “Good Teacher, Good Students, Have a Future”. Anucha said the PM hopes teachers will become role models for students to develop and become good citizens.

“The premier also wishes teachers and educational personnel happiness, health and great success in their careers,” he said.

Related stories:

• Pretending to be Prayut on National Children’s Day
• Prayut says ties with Prawit ‘good all along’, as big brother wishes him success at new party
• ‘Unfinished business’: PM Prayut joins UTN Party in bid for 3rd term

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024046

Bangkok taxi fares to start rising from today

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

Bangkok passengers can expect the cost of taxi rides to start rising from today as the new fare structure comes into effect.

The Transport Ministry updated Bangkok taxi fares with an announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

However, fares will increase gradually as taxi drivers must first apply for meter adjustment and verification from the Department of Land Transport (DLT).

The DLT is offering this service to all Bangkok taxi drivers at Bang Sue Grand Station from January 16 to 28.

“The meter adjustment and verification are available at the station from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm,” said Piya Yoma, DLT Passenger Transport Bureau director.

The flag-fall for ordinary taxis remains at 35 baht but the fare for subsequent kilometres has been increased by 1 baht.

The new fares for metered taxis in Bangkok are as follows:

• 6.5 baht/km for kilometres 2-10

• 7 baht/km for kilometres 11-20

• 8 baht/km for kilometres 21-40

• 8.5 baht/km for kilometres 41-60

• 9 baht/km for kilometres 61-80 (unchanged)

• 10.50 baht/km for kilometres 81 and above (unchanged)

The charge for traffic congestion and when the vehicle travels at less than 6km/hour has been increased by 1 baht to 3 baht per minute.

Call taxis will cost an additional 20 baht in service fees, while taxis to and from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports will cost an additional 50 baht.

Also, the flag-fall for large cabs will rise to 40 baht.

Related stories:

• Bangkok taxis become more expensive with fares now starting at THB40
• Bangkok taxi fares set to rise
• Bangkokians all for legalising motorcycle taxis, poll shows

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024037

Lunar surge may surpass 1.8 million passengers at airport

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

As many as 1.81 million passengers are expected to pass through Suvarnabhumi international Airport during the Chinese New Year festival from January 16 to 28, the airport’s general manager, Kittipong Kittikachorn, said on Sunday.

The airport will see 10,965 flights during the festival: 7,635 international and 3,330 domestic flights, he said.

Ten airlines have asked for 86 extra and charter flights: 84 international and two domestic, Kittipong said.

“The top three airlines that requested extra and charter flights are T Way (26 flights), Jeju Air (24 flights) and Xiamen Airlines (10 flights),” he added.

Kittipong said more check-in counters for 16 airlines had been added, while the number of ground staff was being increased to reduce congestion.

Chinese interpreters will be out in full force and shop operators have been asked to use Chinese-language banners during the festival,

“The airport will show Chinese-language video clips to introduce visitors to public transport services,” Kittipong said.

He said passengers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, adding that the biggest crowds are expected between 7pm to 9pm.

Related stories:

• Fukushima eager to welcome Thais back to reconstructed prefecture
• TAT working on increasing flights, longer visa on arrival to hit 25m target
• Google reveals top places in Thailand on Google Maps in 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024036

Upgrade aims to create highway to prosperity in North

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

The Highways Department has finished a 699.54 million baht upgrade of a critical section of Highway No 1 in Phayao province to better facilitate transport and tourism in the North.

The department announced that it had finished re-paving 27.88 kilometres of the four-lane roadway, also known as Phaholyothin highway.

The highway is a major route connecting Thailand and Laos. The highway has been repaved from kilometre markers 814+000 to 881+325, passing through Ngao district in Lampang, Muang and Mae Jai districts in Phayao, and Phan district in Chiang Rai, officials said.

Each side of the road has two lanes that are 3.50 metres wide. The upgrade made the asphalt 15 centimetres thick.

The Highways Department said it had upgraded the highway to increase safety because it is a route connecting Thailand and Laos. The upgrade is also part of the government’s policy to accelerate Thailand integration in the Asean Economic Community.