Tomorrow brings shortest day of year with barely 11hrs daylight
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
The shortest day of the year, known as winter solstice, will fall on Thursday (December 22), the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) said on Wednesday.
The winter solstice occurs when either of the Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. This happens twice a year, once in the northern and once in the southern hemisphere.
Winter solstice sees the sun reach its lowest annual elevation in the sky.
On Thursday, the sun will rise at 6.36am and set at 5.55pm, adding up to just 11 hours and 19 minutes of daylight.
“Winter solstice is regarded as the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere, but for those in the southern hemisphere it will be the first day of summer,” Narit pointed out.
After tomorrow, the days will gradually get longer leading to the spring equinox on March 20, when the period of day and night will be the same. The summer solstice will bring the longest day for Thailand and the rest of the northern hemisphere on June 21.
Search for 23 HTMS Sukhothai sailors resumes after 6 bodies found
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
The search for 23 missing sailors continued on Wednesday after six bodies and one survivor were plucked from the Gulf of Thailand on Tuesday after the HTMS Sukhothai sank in a storm.
The Royal Thai Navy named the survivor as Seaman Chananyu Kaensriya.
“The Navy is searching for the other 23 missing crewmembers,” Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Navy personnel and volunteers launched the search mission after the Sukhothai, a Rattanakosin-class corvette, capsized during stormy weather with 106 crew onboard on Sunday night.
The ship sank some 20 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district.
The first of the 31 missing crew members was rescued on Monday night. Chief Petty Officer Natee Timdee was spotted floating unconscious and plucked from the sea before being taken to Bang Saphan Hospital.
Choengchai said the warship was on patrol when it began listing in strong winds and waves, causing seawater to flow through the ship and damage its electrical system.
“The crew were unable to drain seawater from the warship, causing the engine to stop and the ship to lose control,” he said.
He said the Navy had launched a search and rescue mission with three ships – HTMS Angthong, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Kraburi – as well as helicopters and reconnaissance aircraft.
“The Navy also contacted cargo ships for help to tow HTMS Sukhothai back to shore.”
Choengchai added that the Navy had plenty of life rafts to rescue the crew, contradicting reports that no or few life rafts were launched from the stricken warship.
He vowed the Navy would not conceal information in its investigation and report on the sinking. Meanwhile the search would continue until all missing sailors are found.
The Navy has set up a disaster relief centre to take care of relatives of HTMS Sukhothai personnel, he added.
Police raid Mae Sot factory after Tesco labour abuse allegations
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Immigration police and labour officials investigated a clothing factory in Tak’s Mae Sot district on Tuesday following reports of slavery-like working conditions.
Reuters on Monday reported that Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, is facing legal action from a group of Myanmar migrant workers, alleging dire working conditions at a Mae Sot factory that made clothes for the retailer’s F&F range.
A total of 146 workers, 140 Burmese and six Thai, allege they were made to work up to 99 hours per week on unlawful wages with forced labour conditions at the VK Garments (VKG) factory in Mae Sot between 2017 and 2020.
Deputy national police chief General Surachet Hakparn said on Tuesday that he checked the VKG factory’s working conditions and talked with some of the workers. He was told that the workers’ claim for unpaid wages was also at the appeal stage in the Thai labour court.
Surachet said police and Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) officials also collected evidence and interviewed workers who said they were forced to work longer than legal hours. He threatened legal action if the employer is found to have broken the law.
DLPW officials also contacted the Provincial Industry Office to find temporary jobs for workers who want to stay in Thailand while they wait for the court verdict.
Britain’s Guardian newspaper has exposed abusive working conditions in Mae Sot in a series of reports over the past few days.
Charit Meesit, a lawyer representing former VKG workers in the Thai court, told the Guardian that authorities “know what’s going on but they turn a blind eye” and that the country lacks “proper enforcement” of its labour laws.
“It’s an open secret that Mae Sot is notorious for abusing workers,” he told the newspaper. “Even Burmese workers know Mae Sot is notorious but they are willing to go because they know that relatively the pay they can get is still better than they can get in Myanmar. They don’t care about the minimum wage in Thailand, they just know that working in Thailand is better paid than in Myanmar. That’s why they keep their mouths shut.”
VKG called the allegations “hearsay”, refusing to comment further amid the ongoing court case.
Toll fees on two motorways – No 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya) and No 9 (Bang Pa In-Bang Phli-Bang Khun Tian) – will be waived for seven days of the New Year holidays from December 29 to January 4, the Department of Highways said on Tuesday.
The move aims to minimise queues at toll booths and reduce costs for people visiting their relatives over New Year, said director-general Sarawut Songwilai.
The department will also waive toll fees on Motorway No 6 (Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima) between the Pak Chong and Kham Thalay Sor checkpoints, which are a gateway to Northeast provinces.
The 64-kilometre section of motorway No 6 will be open only for one-way outbound traffic from December 29 to 31, before switching to one-way inbound traffic from January 1-4 to facilitate motorists leaving and returning to the capital, respectively.
Over 7.32 million vehicles will use the motorway system during the New Year holidays, the department estimates. It has set up roadside assistance units at 393 locations nationwide to provide route information, drinking water, restrooms and resting zones for those who need it.
The New Year holiday also brings the so-called “seven dangerous days” on roads, when the rising number of accidents leads to a spike in traffic deaths and injuries.
Hosting Apec summits expected to be a magnet for foreign investment for next few years
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
The Thai Chamber of Commerce said that Thailand’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) CEO Summit will bring in at least 600 billion baht in foreign direct investment over the next 3-5 years.
Poj Aramwattananont, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Apec CEO Summit, summed up Thailand’s achievement in organising the major international events in November at a press conference on Tuesday.
Capital is primarily flowing into the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, the Digital Economy (including e-commerce, AI, and robotics), and service industries, such as health and wellness, beauty, as well as logistics and tourism, he said.
International investors and businesses are showing strong interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy.
The Thai Chamber of Commerce estimates that total foreign investment in these sectors will be worth around 300 billion baht.
Bilateral trade and investment projects with China and Saudi Arabia will also bring in another 300 billion baht. China has pledged to support and invest in the green, digital, and EV industries. Additionally, they are actively promoting the construction of the Thai-Chinese railway.
Saudi Arabia and five other gulf nations — Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates — have expressed a desire to invest, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) zone, in the fields of energy, petrochemicals, agriculture, green technology, healthcare, and services.
“The fact that we hosted both the Apec CEO Summit and the Apec Summit this year is, in my opinion, very fortunate for all of us. We have only advantages. We have already demonstrated to the world our readiness and competitiveness. Meanwhile, we used this opportunity to let the world know that Thailand is impartial and open to working with anyone as long as it benefits people,” he declared.
Poj advised Thai businesspeople to be ready for the influx of investment. Additionally, he urged the government to streamline some regulations, lessen redundancy, and vigorously enforce those laws.
He urged the government to serve as a supporter and facilitator.
Government’s tight finances delay nod for 5th phase of travel subsidy scheme
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
The Cabinet has not given the approval yet to launch the fifth phase of the “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) scheme owing to the government’s financial constraints, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the Cabinet meeting that the government could subsidise only 4 billion baht while the scheme in its present form would require 8.4 billion baht, Phiphat said.
“The Tourism Authority of Thailand [TAT] was also instructed by the prime minister to revise the details of the proposed project, especially on how to boost the country’s tourism in spite of having a reduced budget, in order to get approval,” he said.
If the project is adjusted, it will be proposed to the government again for consideration as the country aims to generate 2.38 trillion baht in revenue from the tourism sector – 1.5 trillion baht from the expected 20 million foreign tourists and 880 billion baht from Thai citizens travelling domestically.
Phiphat said the ministry had not proposed yet to the Cabinet the extension of opening hours at night entertainment venues.
This is not a suitable time to allow the entertainment businesses to prolong their operating hours, he added.
Bodies of 4 HTMS Sukhothai crew found, hunt on for remaining 25
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
The Royal Thai Navy announced at 4pm on Tuesday that the bodies of four HTMS Sukhothai crew members were found floating in the sea. The bodies have been taken to shore and will be identified before they are taken back to their families.
Earlier on Tuesday, the navy tweeted that it had found the second of the 31 missing HTMS Sukhothai crew members, and had taken him to HTMS Angthong for medical treatment.
“The man rescued was identified as Seaman Chananyu Kaensriya and he had been pulled out of the sea by sailors on the Phumnara cargo ship,” the navy said.
Navy personnel and volunteers have been hunting for missing personnel after the HTMS Sukhothai, a Rattanakosin-class corvette, sank during stormy weather in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday night.
The ship sank some 20 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district.
The first of the 31 missing crew members was rescued on Monday night. Chief Petty Officer Natee Timdee was spotted floating unconscious and plucked out of the sea before being taken to Bang Saphan Hospital.
Royal Thai Fleet chief Admiral Adung Phaniem said HTMS Sukhothai commanding officer Commander Pichitchai Tuannadee had done his best to deal with the disaster on Sunday night.
“The commanding officer said he has never faced such a situation over the past 10 years,” the admiral said, adding that the search for the missing crew members will continue until everybody is found.
Pi Securities welcomes their new CEO, Bob Wouters – ready to unlock Pi’s potential and drive the digital transformation
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
Bangkok, Thailand – Pi Securities Public Company Limited or “Pi”, one of Thailand leading securities brokers and provider of comprehensive investment services appointed their new Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bob Wouters to drive the growth and digital transformation of the company.
Bob is a seasoned transformation leader in financial services with a strong track record of building and growing companies. He joins Pi Financial from bolttech and FWD Insurance where he was CEO of its non-life insurance company in Thailand and as country manager also responsible for Bolttech’s Thai digital insurance broker and device protection business.
Bob has over a decade of experience in the Thai market where he initially helped divesting ING Life’s operations to FWD. His experience in transforming, digitalizing and growing companies in the Thai market provides him with the background needed to guide Pi Financial through the rapidly changing landscape of securities brokerage.
“I am excited to join the team at Pi and help capture the lead in the digital disruption that has started in the Thai securities brokerage space. In leveraging Pi’s strong technical and commercial capabilities to our newly developed digital platform I believe we can provide superior support to our existing customers and win a new generation of investors.
We will continue to invest in our traditional business and aim to grow that part through “digital with a human touch” by minimizing paperwork our customers and advisors can truly focus on the opportunities in the market – both in Thailand and globally.
We are unlocking the potential of the company through our people so our “Pi Application” and platform will help grow financial inclusivity in Thailand by bringing attractive products and new ways of trading and investing,” Bob said.
Centara Extends Management Agreement with Centara Pattaya Hotel and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
This exciting arrangement will see Centara managing these properties for another five years
Centara Hotels & Resorts has confirmed the signing of hotel management agreement extensions by Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts, Rony Fineman, owner of Centara Pattaya Hotel and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya, and Lon Ballard, owner of Centara Pattaya Hotel, to continue managing these renowned properties in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations for a period of five more years.
Located in the heart of central Pattaya, a short walk from shopping, restaurants and the famed Pattaya Beach, Centara Pattaya Hotel provides a haven of relaxation in the midst of all the action.
Guests have access to a sparkling outdoor pool, two bars, an all-day dining venue and a rejuvenating spa. With a variety of guest rooms, including family-friendly studios and spacious suites, and multifunctional meeting spaces, this hotel offers convenience and comfort during every stay.
Ideal for families and couples, Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya offers 79 tastefully designed and well-appointed rooms and suites, each with a furnished balcony overlooking the pool, complete with a swim-up bar, terrace, jacuzzi and children’s pool.
The hotel also features an all-day dining venue, a pool bar, the award-winning SPA Cenvaree and modern meeting spaces. Just minutes away from sprawling Pattaya Beach, this hotel’s central location means local attractions, shopping, food, golf and water sports are always within easy reach.
Both Centara Hotel Pattaya and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa Pattaya are only a 90-minute drive from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Hotel airport pick-ups and transfers can be arranged through the hotel at the time of booking.
Marriott International expects to introduce more than 35 luxury hotels around the world in 2023
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
From the expansive savannas of Kenya to the pristine shores of the Caribbean, Marriott International is set to expand its global luxury footprint and is reimagining high-touch hospitality
Cannes, France – December 8, 2022 – From International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Cannes, Marriott International, Inc. today announced plans to introduce more than 35 luxury hotels in 2023, delivering the unique and meaningful experiences desired by today’s luxury traveler. Boasting an unrivaled portfolio of luxury brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, EDITION, JW Marriott and Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International continues to push the boundaries, reimagining travel with a globally inspired perspective that defines the future of luxury. With an unparalleled footprint of nearly 500 luxury hotels and resorts in 68 countries and territories today, Marriott International is poised to further its position as the global leader in luxury hospitality with more than 200 luxury properties in the development pipeline. From Kenya to Singapore and Japan to Mexico, more than 35 new hotels are slated to open next year in sought-after and emerging destinations around the world.
Luxury’s Great Reimagining
The world has experienced a seismic cultural shift following the events of the last several years, according to a study exploring the impact on the values and aspirations that matter most to guests, conducted in collaboration with creative agency Team One. “We are looking to the great reimaginers, people who perceive crises as moments of opportunity to rethink their lives and reimagine the world around them. Our collective mindset has changed from viewing travel as a luxury commodity to an activity vital to overall well-being,” said Tina Edmundson, Global Brand and Marketing Officer, Marriott International. “More than ever before, our guests are prioritizing more meaningful travel and time spent with loved ones, looking for experiences that reflect their personal values and enhance their overall quality of life.”
“Whether it’s a focus on nurturing closer relationships, a desire to be more present, or finding ways to make a positive impact, across our luxury brands we are evolving to allow our guests to focus on what they believe matters most,” said Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President, Luxury Brands, Marriott International. “As we grow our portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in some of the most iconic and compelling destinations globally, our expanding footprint allows us to offer the transformative experiences that lead to a renewed sense of purpose and enhanced mental and physical well-being for the modern luxury traveler.”
The Ritz-Carlton Leads Through Innovation While Pursuing Global Growth
Showcasing a new, contemporary aesthetic and the renowned brand’s legendary service, The Ritz-Carlton continues to lead through innovation as it thoughtfully grows its portfolio in the world’s most exciting destinations. In 2022, the iconic brand drove global buzz with debuts in New York’s NoMad neighborhood and in Amman, in addition to celebrating the launch of Evrima, the first yacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. In the year ahead, the brand expects to open two new hotels in North America, including its first property in America’s Pacific Northwest region with The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, and The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, The Palmeraie in Arizona’s coveted Scottsdale area. Set above the city skyline, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is slated to grow the brand’s footprint in Australia next year, while The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka is expected to deliver a new offering in the business district of this southwestern Japanese city. Ritz-Carlton Reserve anticipates expanding its exclusive portfolio in 2023 with Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve close to the historic Chinese valley of Jiuzhaigou and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve located off the West Coast of Saudi Arabia and part of the country’s Red Sea project.
St. Regis Celebrates its Vanguard Spirit in Alluring New Destinations
St. Regis continues to solidify its position as a global luxury icon by bringing its vanguard spirit, signature glamor and celebrated rituals to some of the world’s most desired destinations. Highlighting a commitment to growing its resort portfolio, in 2023 the brand expects to debut The St. Regis Kanai Resort, an enchanting haven nestled in a 620-acre nature reserve along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula with ocean views from every guestroom. In the year ahead St. Regis also anticipates expanding its footprint in North America with The St. Regis Chicago, an exquisite architectural marvel envisioned by Jeanne Gang Studio. The iconic brand is also slated to bring its acclaimed Butler Service and storied legacy to Belgrade and is expected to open its first two properties in Saudi Arabia by debuting a hotel in Riyadh and a resort located on its own private island within the Red Sea project. This past year also marked St. Regis openings in Qatar, India, Kuwait and Indonesia.
W Hotels Continues Pushing the Boundaries & Expanding to Iconic Destinations
In 2022, W Hotels introduced an evolved lens on its unassuming approach to luxury and is set to infuse subtle sophistication into each of its 67 hotels around the world. W pushes the boundaries of elevated design, regionally inspired programming and its iconic “Whatever / Whenever” service, which has been refined for the next generation of travelers. With the opening of W Algarve – atop the dramatic cliffs of Southern Portugal – and W Costa Navarino – located along the sandy shorelines of Greece – the brand debuted in two sought-after locales in 2022, providing a glimpse into W’s new vision. This year also brought further growth in the Middle East with the addition of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, rising 31 stories above the Arabian Gulf, and in Canada with the W Toronto, which nods to the city’s rich musical heritage with Canada’s first W Sound Suite – the brand’s signature recording studio experience – and celebrates Toronto’s storied art scene, diversity of culture and legacy of inclusivity. Looking ahead to 2023, W Hotels anticipates debuting in Prague, Budapest, Edinburgh, Sydney, Macau and Milan. Also slated for later next year, W New York – Union Square and W Hollywood are expected to emerge newly transformed, embodying the fully reimagined W experience.
EDITION’s Rapid Expansion Continues in Top Destinations
EDITION, a unique luxury collection of individualized hotels considered the next chapter in the lifestyle hotel story, expanded into Madrid and Tampa in 2022. Known for sophisticated design, a curated taste of the locale, and modern service, EDITION Hotels is rapidly expanding internationally in 2023 with new openings planned across several regions, including the brand’s first properties in Italy, Mexico and Southeast Asia. With 15 hotels currently in the global portfolio, EDITION is projected to grow its personal and intimate hospitality experience to 21 total destinations by the end of 2023, with expected openings next year to include Rome, Riviera Maya at Kanai, Tokyo, Ginza, Singapore, Jeddah and Doha.
The Luxury Collection Brings Transformational Experiences and Destination-Rooted Authenticity
The Luxury Collection’s growing ensemble of more 120 hotels around the world offer the promise of authentic experiences that are highly immersive and deeply reflective of the destination. In 2022, the brand showcased elevated palatial interiors and world-class epicurean delights in Madrid with the opening of Santo Mauro, brought luxurious coastal charm to the idyllic Greek island of Paros through Cosme, and made its debut in Australia with the opening of The Tasman in Hobart, a waterfront city steeped in rich history. With each hotel serving as a portal to the destination’s unique charms, The Luxury Collection anticipates debuting properties next year in enthralling locations that span the globe, including Turkey, Barbados, Japan, Mexico and Tbilisi, Georgia.
JW Marriott Celebrates Guests through Well-Being Experiences and Exceptional Service
Inspired by its legendary namesake and offering experiences that encourage guests to be fully present, JW Marriott caters to sophisticated, mindful travelers who seek a balance in mind, body and spirit. In 2022, the brand celebrated openings in captivating destinations including São Paulo, Changsha, Istanbul, Bangalore and Frankfurt, marking the brand’s debut in Germany. In the coming year, JW Marriott anticipates continuing to bring its distinct style of warm, authentic service to established and emerging destinations with planned openings from Madrid to Jeju Island, South Korea, and Dallas to Xi’an and Berlin. The brand is also slated to enter the luxury safari segment in 2023 with the expected opening of JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya.
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