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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023989

Phuket governor drums up support for bid to host 2028 expo

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Phuket’s governor and the chair of the island’s tourist association met with officials at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok on Thursday, as they intensified their efforts to increase support for the bid to host the 2028 Specialised Expo.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew said Expo 2028 dovetails with the province’s long-term development strategy to promote sustainability.

It also aligns with the province’s 2023 to 2027 development strategy, Narong said. The ambitious plan includes elevating Phuket as a destination for gastronomy, medical and sport tourism, and international education. It also calls for expanding marinas, increasing the number of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, creating a smart city and turning the island into the tuna industry hub of Asean.

Narong explained that the economic diversification strategy would ensure that the province could better cope with climate change, pandemics and the disruptions inherent in the development of new technology.

Currently, 95% of the province’s revenue is generated by tourism, the governor said. The new development plan not only diversifies the economy but also aligns with His Majesty King Bhumibol the Great’s Sufficiency Economy.

Narong Woonciew

Phuket’s long-term development strategy makes it a fitting place to inspire and foster the positive changes necessary to create a sustainable future, Narong added.

“The expo is not only for the future of people in Phuket, but also the world,” he said.

Phuket Tourist Association’s advisory chairman Bhummikitti Ruktaengam said the world-famous island’s tourism potential had yet to be fully tapped. Increasing transport connectivity and world-class facilities will boost its appeal, Bhummikitti said.

The government has already started developing new infrastructure in Phuket and it will be completed before the expo begins, he said.

“Hosting the expo in Phuket will also contribute to local development, which will benefit local communities and those beyond,” he said.

Thailand launched its bid for Phuket to host the 2028 Specialised Expo in Paris in June last year, highlighting the island’s suitability to host the event under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”. The Bureau of International Exposition will announce the country that will host the event in June. There are five candidates: the US, Argentina, Serbia, Spain, and Thailand.

Related stories:

• Phuket officials tell PM they are ready to host expo in 2028
• BCG Expo explores Isaan designs through recycled materials
• Motor Expo 2022 sees 42,000 sales, with Toyota, Lambretta topping the charts

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023986

Thailand eyes reopening checkpoints safely now that Covid is easing

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Border provinces are calling on the government to speed up the restoration of cross-border travel and trade to boost local economies.

Provincial governors along with representatives of local administration and trade agencies met the House committee for national security and border affairs on Friday to discuss the reopening of borders now that the pandemic has eased.

Attending the meeting were governors from Trat, Chiang Rai, Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Sa Kaew, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani and Narathiwat, while other border provinces sent representatives.

The House committee has accepted the request to reopen the borders and revive cross-border trade, House committee member Mallika Boonmeetrakool-Mahasook told the press later.

Mallika, a party-list Democrat MP, said the committee will check each border province’s situation first to ensure the reopening of borders poses no threats to residents or to national security.

“As the Covid situation improves, the government has been working with the private sector to reopen the borders as soon as possible to restore the economy,” said Mallika. “Meanwhile, the Export-Import Bank is also granting loans worth more than 6 billion baht to help small and medium businesses get back on their feet.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023975

Supreme Patriarch shines guiding light for Children’s Day

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana IX on Friday advised children to avoid impacts on their wellbeing and develop their minds to help Thailand prosper.

He offered the guidance on the eve of National Children’s Day, which is marked each year on the second Saturday of January.

The Supreme Patriarch said children are the next generation who will grow up to drive the country’s development. But they will not be able to bear that burden unless they cultivate intelligence and good health, he added.

“Avoiding impacts on wellbeing is an important duty for all children. Meanwhile, adults should manage the ecosystem, society and rules to support children’s wellbeing.”

Citing the Buddha’s teaching, the Supreme Patriarch said people should shun alcohol and drugs as consuming them has negative effects on property, mind, health and reputation.

“Hence, children should not get involved with alcoholic drinks and narcotics,” he said, adding that these substances were like flames that can burn down your home.

The Supreme Patriarch also asked children to cultivate virtuous minds and bring benefits to themselves, their communities and Thailand.

Related stories:

• Prayut loses his cool minutes after Supreme Patriarch urges him to calm down
• Supreme Patriarch extends New Year greetings, wishes for global peace
• Supreme Patriarch tells Harris of role Wat Ratchabophit played in US-Thai ties

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023982

Zoos offer free entrance for kids on Children’s Day

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Children can visit six zoos for free on Saturday, the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand announced on Friday, ahead of National Children’s Day tomorrow.

The organisation’s director, Atthaporn Srihheran, said the goal of offering free entrance to children was to “create happiness” and raise children’s awareness about wild animals.

Fun activities – like parades, games and stage shows – will be held at the six zoos, he said.

They are Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chiang Mai Zoo, Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Songkhla Zoo, Ubon Ratchathani Zoo, and Khon Kaen Zoo.

Free entrance is limited to children whose height does not exceed 135 centimetres, the organisation said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023976

Life slows down as heavy fog blankets Northeast Thailand

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

A thick fog descended on Sakon Nakhon and nearby provinces in the upper Northeast on Friday, with people complaining they could not able to see beyond 10 metres.

This bizarre phenomenon brought the area to a practical standstill as motorists had to slow down due to poor visibility.

The poor visibility also forced Nok Air flights to return to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.

Flights were also unable to land at Udon Thani International Airport and Nakhon Phanom Airport due to visibility issues.

Many people in Nong Khai, meanwhile, came down with flu after temperatures dropped to about 15 degrees Celsius on Friday after two days of continuous rain.

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast cool temperatures with heavy morning fog in the Northeast on Friday.

It also forecast isolated thundershowers in Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.

Temperatures in the Northeast of Thailand have been forecast at lows of 16-19 degrees Celsius and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius.

The mercury on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023981

Thailand passes baton to Vietnam for coordinating Asia-Europe summit

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Thailand handed over the Asean Group Coordinatorship for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) framework to Vietnam on Thursday.

Asi Mamanee, director-general of the Department of European Affairs and the senior Thai official for ASEM, passed on his role to Tran Bao Ngoc, ASEM senior official for Vietnam, in a virtual meeting.

ASEM senior officials expressed appreciation for what they described as Thailand’s excellent coordination over the past two years, which they agreed was a very challenging period.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the group managed to form common stances on many global issues, especially during the 13th ASEM Summit hosted by Cambodia in November 2021.

Thailand was also commended for its active engagement with other ASEM coordinators.

Senior officials also exchanged views on how to further enhance cooperation between Asean and Europe.

ASEM is the only summit-level forum between Asia and Europe, covering three areas of cooperation: political, economic, and social and cultural. The summits give leaders from Asia and Europe the opportunity to exchange ideas in person.

Thailand is a founding member of ASEM. It hosted the first ASEM summit, which was held in Bangkok in 1996.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023979

Unicef celebrates 75 years of unwavering commitment to children in Thailand

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

As Unicef celebrates its 75 years of working with and for the children of Thailand, we call on all of Thai society on National Children’s Day to continue to prioritize the children’s needs and help create a promising future for every child.  

Over these 75 years, Unicef has worked with the Government of Thailand and partners to improve children’s lives and advance their rights in every aspect, including health, education, protection from harm, and participation in society.

This shared commitment will be publicly celebrated in a new series of videos entitled Commitment For Children, beginning today and running throughout the year on Unicef Thailand’s social media channels. The series kicks off with Unicef Representative for Thailand Kyungsun Kim, Friend of Unicef Min Pechaya Wattanamontri and Watwareee Chaimongkol, member of Unicef’s Young People Advisory Board who make their pledges to promote and protect children’s well-being, particularly the most vulnerable. Unicef will continue to work with all partners to turn these commitments into lasting positive changes.

Unicef’s work in Thailand has already achieved many historic, lifesaving milestones. Some of these include the first nationwide vaccination programme against tuberculosis in 1953, a school milk programme created to alleviate protein deficiency in the 1960s, the promotion of early childhood and primary school education in 1964, legislation ensuring salt iodization in 2011, and the adoption of the Child Support Grant as a vital social protection scheme for children in 2015.

“The lives of children in Thailand have improved almost beyond recognition during the past 75 years and Unicef is proud of the part we have played in that journey,” said Kyungsun Kim, Unicef Representative for Thailand. “Throughout the decades, there have been great achievements across all aspects of children’s lives. Thailand has delivered child survival and eliminated extreme poverty while making access to birth registration, immunization, healthcare, and primary education almost universal.”

As Thailand has developed economically and socially, Unicef’s role in the country has also evolved. Unicef’s partnership with the Government of Thailand has moved from a donor/recipient relationship to a more strategic and collaborative partnership, where the focus is on supporting the country to develop its own capacity and expertise in fulfilling its long-term vision for children. At the same time, Unicef has worked to expand opportunities for Thai people to play a key role in supporting vulnerable children both in Thailand and overseas, through donations or volunteering to give back to their communities.

Today, Unicef works with the Government, civil society, private sector, media, academia, as well as children and young people themselves, to co-create solutions that ensure equal rights for every child in Thailand.

“As we celebrate these achievements on Children’s Day, we also reflect on the lives of Thai children today and in the future,” continued Kyungsun Kim. “Although so much has been achieved already, and can be achieved in the future, there are many challenges ahead such as the ongoing socio-economic impact of Covid-19, conflicts, the climate crisis, and increased disparities. These unprecedented challenges require unprecedented commitment, effort, and investment from everyone in society. To reimagine the future for every child, we must strengthen our partnerships and work ever more innovatively. Unicef won’t rest until every child in Thailand and the world has been given the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023973

Bangkok taxis become more expensive with fares now starting at THB40

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

Bangkok taxi fares will now start at 40 baht in line with the Transport Ministry’s announcement, which was published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

The ministry updated Bangkok taxi fares for the first time since 2014 to reflect the current economic and social situation, the announcement said.

Now, the flag down rate is 40 baht, up from 35 baht, and the fare for subsequent kilometres has been increased by 1 baht until the 61st kilometre.

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

• 40 baht for the first kilometre

• 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.

Related Stories

Bangkok taxi fares set to rise

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023971

Agony as foreign tourist breaks back at Pai waterfall

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

A foreign tourist broke his back in a motorbiking accident at a waterfall in the backpacking hotspot of Pai, Mae Hong Son province on Thursday.

Issam Messaoudi, a dual Belgian-Moroccan national, was rescued and rushed to Pai Hospital after his motorcycle lost control while he was riding up a path next to Mor Paeng waterfall in Pai district.

X-rays taken at the hospital showed his spine was broken, prompting medics to transfer him to the better-equipped Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai – an agonising 130-kilometre journey.

Messaoudi and a friend rented the motorcycle from a local shop that offers a rental service for sightseeing around waterfalls and other attractions in Mae Hong Son.

Officials said the steep path where the accident occurred had been made slippery and hazardous by recent rainfall. Messaoudi’s friend escaped the accident without injury.

The Mor Paeng waterfall is highly popular among foreign tourists as the beauty spot is located only 6 kilometres from Pai’s town centre. The 50-metre-high, 3-stage waterfall has a steep cliff that offers challenges for those who enjoy mountain climbing and mountain bike or scooter riding. The clear water and flat rocky banks also make it an excellent destination for paddling and swimming during summer.

Related Stories

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023970

Parliament study a blueprint for legalising casinos minus controls: NGO

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

An NGO has slammed the Thai Parliament’s study on entertainment complexes as a blueprint for legalising casinos that ignores damage to society from legalised gambling.

Thanakorn Khomkris, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, said that about 95% of the report focuses on how to legalise and collect revenues from casinos, while only 5% is devoted to other entertainment-complex businesses such as hotels, theme parks, sports arenas, and shopping malls.

“This shows that the study aims to highlight the pros of legalising casinos in Thailand, while many important topics have been omitted, such as prevention of money laundering and other criminal activities, and the impact of legalised gambling on society,” he said on Thursday.

The Parliament subcommittee on entertainment complexes has launched the study eight months ago and the results were recently made public.

Thanakorn then proposed three improvements to the report before the subcommittee submits it for Parliament’s consideration:

1. The focus of the report should be equally distributed between casinos and other entertainment-complex businesses.

2. It should include measures to prevent money laundering and criminal activities from legalising casinos in Thailand.

3. It should also feature measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of legalised gambling on society, especially among children and families.

He said that without these details, the report should be considered incomplete, and Parliament should not approve it.

“The subcommittee members must ask themselves who are they serving: businesspeople who aim to open casinos in Thailand or the Thai people,” he said.

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