3 ministers welcome first Chinese group of tourists at Suvarnabhumi
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
The first big group of Chinese tourists received a hero’s welcome by three ministers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at around noon on Monday.
Xiamen Airlines flight MF833 brought the first group of 269 Chinese tourists to Bangkok after Beijing lifted quarantine measure for arrivals on Sunday.
Greeting the group at the arrivals hall were Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
Meanwhile, officials were also at hand distributing orchid garlands, souvenirs and Chinese-language leaflets on tourism information. They also held up a banner with a slogan in Chinese reading: “Chinese-Thais come from the same family. Amazing Thailand will always warmly welcome Chinese people.”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had said earlier that independent travellers from China will start returning to Thailand later this month during the long Chinese New Year holidays.
Chinese travellers were the biggest group of foreign tourists in Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in 2020. In 2019, Thailand welcomed 39.9 million foreign tourists, of whom 11 million were Chinese.
TAT expects some 300,000 Chinese visitors in the first quarter of this year – 60,000 in January, 90,000 in February and 150,000 in March. TAT expects some 5 million Chinese tourists this year.
Phitsanulok national park turns an autumnal beauty, but only for this week
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
Phitsanulok’s Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park was full of tourists on Sunday who had shown up to take photos of maple trees that are emblazoned in the autumnal colours of bright red, orange and yellow.
The autumn leaves on the ground, sheds and rocks by the creek in the park’s Mun Daeng zone have created a magnificent backdrop for selfies in the comfortably cool temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius.
A park official said the maple trees should finish shedding their leaves within next week and the bright leaves carpeting the floor will turn brown as they reach the end of their natural course.
He said people should grab this opportunity to witness the phenomenon this week, otherwise they will have to wait until next year.
Located mainly in Phitsanulok province some 130 kilometres from downtown, this 307-square-kilometre mountainous park extends east into Loei and Phetchabun provinces.
The park has recorded sightings of rare wild animals including leopards, leopard cats, Asian black bears, Asian golden cats, hog badgers, serows and barking deer, as well as more than 200 bird species.
‘Unfinished business’: PM Prayut joins UTN Party in bid for 3rd term
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted he had unfinished business as he officially joined the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (United Thai Nation/UTN) to become its PM candidate on Monday evening.
The event at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre was hosted by UTN party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga and attended by UTN members as well as key political figures including former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrasamee and former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, who recently quit as a ruling Palang Pracharath Party MP.
Prayut thanked UTN members and told the large audience that “it is our duty to protect this sacred land and maintain the three pillars of nation, religion, the monarchy”.
He said he had no desire to be in power or to seek its benefits.
Prayut has been PM for nine years after coming to power following the coup he led as Army chief in 2014.
“I am here because I care about the people, and I want to see Thailand move forward under the democratic process with stability and security towards a prosperous future.”
Prayut said several of his missions as PM were unfinished, and he intended to complete them no matter how challenging or how much stress it would cause him. “All I have done is for the sustainable future of the country. I will leave no one behind until I hand over the country to the next generation,” he said.
“Please give me a chance to do my duties the best I can. I have only one heart, but it is big enough to love all Thais. This is my commitment,” said Prayut, before closing his speech by singing the song “Sattha” (Faith) by the rock band Stone Metal Fire.
Before going on stage, Prayut had paid the 2,000-baht fee for lifetime membership of the party.
Pirapan told Monday’s event that NTC would be a political party like no other with a focus on nation, religion, monarchy, and the people.
“Today we have more than 30,000 members. NTC will unite all Thais and end all disagreements. We can’t afford to waste time arguing when the country needs to move forward,” he said.
He added that the party would hold an extraordinary general meeting soon to nominate MP candidates for the upcoming election, which is tentatively scheduled for May 7. No date was given for when Prayut will be officially announced as the party’s PM nomination.
Prayut scheduled to leave Govt House at 1pm to attend party unveiling event
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that the PM will be taking a leave of absence from Government House at 1pm on Monday to attend a Ruam Thai Sang Chart (RTSC) Party event.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to debut as an RTSC member at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QNSCC) at an event that kicks off at 5pm.
The party said other MPs planning to join RTSC will also be at the event to show their support for Prayut. The premier will lead RTSC’s election campaign during his free time and at weekends, it added.
However, a former election commissioner is calling on the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Prayut’s presence at the event, warning that it may violate election laws.
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said if Prayut leaves his office at Government House before 4.30pm and uses his PM’s car to be whisked through Bangkok traffic, he may be breaking the law and abusing his authority to gain an advantage in the upcoming general election.
Somchai said the unveiling event may also be violating the law by serving food and drinks to attendees who are not party members or staffers. This may be seen as providing services or gifts to persuade attendees to vote for a candidate or party.
Prayut’s unveiling as PM candidate on Monday ‘may break law’
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
A former election commissioner has urged the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s unveiling as Ruam Thai Sang Chart (RTSC) party’s PM candidate on Monday, warning it could break the law.
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, who served on the EC from 2013 to 2018, said that election law bans government officials from campaigning during office hours for 180 days before an election. The ban covers the use of government property such as cars and fuel.
Prayut’s unveiling event is due to be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in downtown Bangkok from 5pm on Monday.
Somchai said that if Prayut leaves his office at Government House before 4.30pm and travels in his PM’s car using government staff to whisk him through traffic, he could be breaking the law by abusing his authority to gain advantage in the upcoming election.
He added that the unveiling event may also break election law by serving food and drinks to attendees who are not party members or staffers. Such action would be considered as providing services or gifts to persuade attendees to vote for a candidate or a party. Earlier, the RTSC announced that several MPs from other parties who plan to switch to the RTSC will attend the event to support Prayut.
Somchai urged the EC to keep a close eye on Monday’s event and launch an investigation if it suspects the law was broken.
The RTSC has insisted that Prayut will campaign only during his free time and at weekends.
Instalment plans for cars, motorbikes to become easier in Thailand
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
The government has come up with new regulations on car and motorbike instalment plans in a bid to make repayments easy, tackle debt issues and improve people’s quality of life.
The new rules will go into effect on Tuesday, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday. The regulations had been published in the Royal Gazette on October 14 last year.
The new regulations are as follows:
Annual interest rate
• 10% or less for new cars
• 15% or less for used cars
• 23% or less for motorcycles
Discounted interest for people who complete their payment before the contract ends:
• 60% or more for those who pay over a third of the debt
• 70% or more for those paying two-thirds of their debt
• 100% for those who have paid more than two-thirds of the money owed
If vehicles are auctioned off due to termination of the contract, buyers will only be responsible for repaying the remaining principal, instead of both principal and interest.
Sellers, meanwhile, can fine defaulters no more than 5% per annum on the outstanding amount.
Anucha Burapachaisri
Anucha added that the new regulations will only apply to cars and motorcycles bought on hire-purchase contracts after January 10.
“The government is doing its best to ensure nobody is discriminated against in a bid to maintain a fair society,” he said.
People who receive threats from debt collectors can call the 1166 Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) hotline, contact the authorities via the OCPB Connect smartphone app or visit ocpb.go.th.
Thailand ranked first in Asean for meeting UN sustainable goals
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
Thailand has been ranked No 1 in Asean for achieving sustainable development goals for four years running since 2019 in rankings based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The UN SDGs are in line with Thailand’s 20-year national strategy, which aims to make it a developed country with security, prosperity and sustainability without leaving anyone behind,” deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said.
She said that according to the UN, “not leaving anyone behind” is at the heart of SDGs and that Thailand has placed a greater focus on five SDGs:
• No poverty
• Quality education
• Clean water and sanitation
• Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• Responsible consumption and production
She said the government has achieved success in the development of infrastructure, both physically and digitally, as well as its goals on Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model at the Apec Summit in November last year.
“These achievements prove that the government is moving in the right direction, with criteria and indicators that meet international standards,” she said.
Thailand reviewing 2-jab entry rule after warning from Phuket
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
The government is reviewing its abruptly issued rule that foreign arrivals must show proof of two Covid-19 jabs, after Phuket tourism operators complained it had caused many tourists to cancel bookings.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that he had asked Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to adjust the new two-jab for foreign arrivals.
Phiphat intervened after the Phuket Tourist Association submitted a letter to the government complaining the new rule threatened tourism recovery amid the return of Chinese visitors from today. The rule, which was abruptly restored amid concern over soaring Covid infections in China, came into effect at 1am on Monday.
Phiphat also advised tourists from countries that require a negative RT-PCR test result on return to purchase health insurance so they can claim treatment expenses if they test positive for Covid in Thailand. Entry to China still requires a negative test.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is asking hotels to provide RT-PCR tests for foreign tourists, he said.
Current entry requirements for visitors to Thailand are as follows:
Proof of at least two Covid-19 vaccine jabs
Visitors should postpone their trip if they develop respiratory symptoms
Visitors from countries that require a negative RT-PCR test result on return should purchase health insurance to cover Covid-19 treatment
Foreign tourists are also advised to wear face masks in public, wash hands regularly, take a test if they develop respiratory symptoms, visit a hospital if they suffer severe respiratory symptoms, and stay at an SHA-standard hotel that offers tests if their home country requires a negative test on return.
dtac Joins Forces with BMA in Prevention of Online Child Exploitation
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
20% of children are at risk of being exploited online. Thailand ranks 2nd in the world on online sexual exploitation of children, with the number of dark webs growing by five times.
dtac has joined forces with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Taskforce in a school tour to educate students at BMA-run educational institutes about online risks. The tour kicked off after findings show 20 % of Thai children are at risk of being sexually exploited online. Across the world, Thailand ranks 2nd when it comes to the percentage of online exploitation of children. Some Thai youngsters have exposed images of themselves online for money, poignantly exposing inequalities in the country. Over 2023, dtac aims to educate senior primary students across Thailand about online-exploitation threats via dtac Safe Internet project.
Thai Children are at Risk
Police Colonel Runglert Kantajan, superintendent of the TICAC Unit, said in his capacity as the head of the TICAC Taskforce that there were big risks of online child exploitation in Thailand. The report by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) shows a significant increase in reports of Child Pornography detection in Thailand, with 117,213 reports in 2019, 396,049 reports in 2020, 586,582 reports in 2021 and 523,169 reported in 2022. In addition, the number of dark webs containing sexual exploitation content of Thai children also grew by five times compared with the previous year.
According to the Royal Thai Police‘s statistics, one predator can victimize up to 1,000 children. Therefore, up to 20 % of Thai children are at risk of being sexually exploited online. Of all child victims, 56 % have chosen to keep quiet about their ordeals. Struggling with economic inequalities and income gaps, some Thai youngsters have also agreed to show their sexual images or VDO clips in exchange for money or gifts.
“Online communications significantly enable predators to connect with children fast and easily. Exploiting children’s vulnerabilities, they use lies, coercion, and pressure to get what they want from children. These criminal offences are considered human trafficking. Their crimes are grave in nature because they hurt the rights, liberties, dignity, and security of other humans,” he said.
Thai laws, so far, impose action against predators only after damages are done. The police therefore cannot do anything when potential predators just engage in Cyber Stalking, Grooming, or Sexting. Boosting children’s digital literacy and guarding against online sexual exploitation, therefore, has crucial importance. If such crimes happen, there are always digital footprints that are hard to be wiped out completely.
BMA Toughens Up Against Online Child Exploitation
Sanon Wangsrangboon, a deputy governor of Bangkok, said BMA had operated 437 schools across all 50 Bangkok districts. These schools have taught 261,160 students.
From June 2022, BMA has partnered with dtac Safe Internet in promoting safe internet usage among BMA-run school students.
To date, the “BMA x dtac Safe Internet School Tour” training has already covered more than 10,000 students aged between 11 and 13 years old (Pathom 4 – 5 levels) with the aim to boost students’ immunity against online child exploitation.
As the training raises children’s understanding of sexual exploitation and processes, they will be able to properly handle risks. Surveys during training reveal that about three per cent of students were asked, threatened, or pressured to send sexual images or commit sexual acts online.
Up to 13 % of these students have digitally sent their images, video clips or personal information to strangers. About three per cent have received sexually-suggestive images, texts or video clips. Predators have reached out to children via social media, online games and new applications that are not yet popular among adults.
“Police records and surveys conducted under BMA – dtac collaboration have reflected the severity of online child exploitation, which needs to be urgently addressed. As the deputy Bangkok governor in charge of BMA-run schools, I am ready to prioritize efforts to solve this problem. We must urgently educate children and boost their digital literacy to stop this problem,” Sanon said.
dtac’s Training Targets Senior Primary Students
Recognizing the severity of online child exploitation, the United Nations has addressed it in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Targeted for fulfilment by 2030, Item 5.2 of SDGs seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation, while Item 16.2 aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.
On-uma Rerkpattanapipat, senior vice president for the Communications and Sustainability Division at Total Access Communication Public Company Limited or dtac, said as a telecom operator dtac was aware of online child exploitation that included sexual abuse. dtac Safe Internet project therefore not only boosts children’s access to educational resources but also promotes responsible & safe internet usage among students and teachers.
Since 2022, dtac Safe Internet project has worked with the BMA’s Department of Education in conducting training and activities to raise awareness and understanding of online and offline sexual exploitation. Efforts have also been made in collaboration to raise public awareness of the issue and engage netizens in combating the problem through communication campaigns. dtac now plans to expand the training further to cover Pathom 5 and 6 students nationwide from this year onward.
“Boosting youth’s immunity against online child exploitation marks the start of our efforts to tackle this problem. We know the complete eradication of online child exploitation requires the government sector, the private sector, and civil society to work together in raising public awareness of online child exploitation, supporting strong legal enforcement, and fostering timely response,” On-uma said.
Anutin scraps new measure seeking Covid-19 vaccination proof from foreign tourists
MONDAY, JANUARY 09, 2023
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday cancelled the requirement for foreign tourists to show a proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or a certificate of recovery from the disease not more than 180 days before departure.
Anutin announced the cancellation of the requirement on the same day when an order issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) for airlines to request documents took effect.
On Sunday, the CAAT issued a 7-point Notice to Airmen (Notam) that all airlines must make sure passengers above the age of 18 show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a doctor’s certificate saying they recovered from Covid-19 not longer than 180 days before departure.
The Notam was supposed to take effect from 8am on Monday until midnight on January 31.
The Notam prompted Thai tour operators to cry foul, saying it was issued at short notice and it would affect tourists, especially those from China. The tour operators feared that Chinese tourists would have no time to prepare such documents and they would be disallowed to board their planes.
Anutin said the academic committee on communicable diseases of the Public Health Ministry had convened a meeting on Monday morning and agreed that most Thais have been vaccinated against Covid and foreigners have also acquired immunity up to a level.
The committee resolved that it would not be necessary for foreign tourists to show such documents upon arrival, as it would be inconvenient for them, Anutin added.
Anyway, tourists from countries that require them to take RT-PCR test before returning to their countries must buy health insurance for cover their own treatment if they test positive, so the Thai government would not have to shoulder the expense, Anutin said.
The minister said foreign tourists can receive free Covid vaccines at state hospitals on a voluntary basis.
The Public Health Ministry will later consult with private hospitals on how to collect expenses if a foreign tourist wanted to receive Covid vaccines at their places, Anutin said.
The minister added that Thai authorities would not test foreign tourists for Covid on a random basis.
“The arrival of foreign tourists bodes well for us. Their arrival will create income and jobs. If all Thais welcome foreign tourists and take good care of their own health, our country’s economy will recover very fast after being damaged by the pandemic for almost three years,” Anutin said.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had said earlier that independent travellers from China will start returning to Thailand later this month during the long Chinese New Year holidays.
Chinese travellers were the biggest group of foreign tourists in Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in 2020. In 2019, Thailand welcomed 39.9 million foreign tourists, of whom 11 million were Chinese.
Anucha Burapachaisri
Anyway, tourists from countries that require them to take RT-PCR test before returning to their countries must buy health insurance for cover their own treatment if they test positive, so the Thai government would not have to shoulder the expense, Anutin said.
The minister added that Thai authorities would not test foreign tourists for Covid on a random basis.
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