Betong Airport in the southern province of Yala is nearly ready and should open for operations from April, Deputy Transport Minister Thavorn Senniam said on Monday.
He added that Nok Air has submitted a proposal for flying between Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Betong and has asked the ministry for help with the cost of operations.
The airline has also asked for a guarantee that its flights to Betong Airport will be 75 per cent full for the first six months and then 60 per cent full or at least 52 seats occupied.
Suthee Chulajata, chief operating officer at Nok Air, said the airline will operate six Don Mueang-Betong flights a week and will use small aircraft accommodating 86 passengers for the route. The target groups are government officials and local tourists.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 72 new cases, including three overseas travellers in quarantine facilities.
Of the 21 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 16 were in Samut Sakhon, followed by two cases in Samut Sakhon, and one each in Nakhon Pathum, Pathum Thani, and Khon Kaen.
Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 48 cases — 47 in Pathum Thani and one in Ayutthaya.
Of the overseas travellers testing positive in quarantine, a Thai had returned from the United Kingdom, a Lebanese travelled from United Arab Emirates, and an American from her home country.
Meanwhile, 680 patients have recovered and been discharged.
As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 24,786. Of these, 22,136 had been contracted locally, including 14,038 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,650 were returnees. So far, 23,563 have recovered and been discharged, 1,141 patients are still in hospitals, and the death tolls remain at 82.
According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 109.67 million (up by 262,943), 84.36 million have recovered, 22.9 million are active cases (97,715 in severe condition) and 2.42 million have died (up by 6,673).
Thailand ranks 114th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 28.31 million, followed by India 10.93 million, Brazil 9.87 million, Russia 4.09 million and the United Kingdom 4.05 million.
CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that the CCSA committee would assess the situation and make a decision on relaxing some measures next Monday.
The Criminal Court on Monday set bail amount at Bt35,000 each for eight suspects who allegedly assaulted crowd control police during the pro-democracy protest in front of the Supreme Court in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on Saturday night.
Protesters had gathered in front of the court to demand the release of four Ratsadon pro-democracy group leaders – Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam – who have been charged with lese majeste and sedition.
Saturday’s clashes with protesters saw 23 police officers being hospitalised with non-severe injuries, mainly from bricks, small objects and ping pong bombs being thrown at them.
Among the eight suspects is a teenager, Puraphol (last name withheld) aged 19 years, who claimed that he did not assault police officers on Saturday and was only there to provide medical assistance as he works for the DNA Volunteer Medical Team. Puraphol was reportedly hit on the back and arm by what is believed to be a police baton.
“I am consulting with my lawyer to file a case against police officers who assaulted me and other medical volunteers during the protest,” he said.
The baht opened at 29.89 to the US dollar on Tuesday, unchanged from Monday’s close.
The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.80 and 30, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.
The baht has still moved in a range, despite strengthening slightly from the dollar’s movement.
Poon advised investors to monitor foreign funds flow as a factor to affect the baht. Investors should focus on the auction of Thai Two-Year Treasury yield on Wednesday, which could support the baht’s value, he said.
Demand for Chinese assets would increase if the yuan strengthens and the Chinese capital market reopens after the Chinese New Year holidays, he said.
The market strategist said that overall the financial markets were in a risk-on state continually, amid investors’ hopes of an economic recovery.
The recovery signal can be seen from the distribution rate of Covid-19 vaccine in the US and UK, as well as the 13 per cent growth of the Japanese economy in the last quarter of 2020. The Nikkei 225 index rose by 1.9 per cent, touching a new high since 1990, Poon said.
In Europe, the FTSE index of the UK rose by over 2.5 per cent, after the increase in distribution rate of vaccine. The Stoxx 50 grew over 1 per cent.
In the commodities market, the crude oil price has still increased due to positive signals of economic recovery and the arctic blast in the US. Moreover, gold price decreased by 0.3 per cent to $1,818 (Bt54,300).
Krungthai Bank said on Monday that it had extended the registration period for the government’s cash handout campaign “RaoChana” (We Win) for people who do not own a smartphone to March 5 from the original deadline of February 25.
The decision was made after the first day of registration on Monday saw an overwhelming number of registrants at many of its branches.
Under the scheme, self-employed people, farmers and welfare cardholders whose savings do not exceed Bt500,000, will be given two monthly payments of Bt3,500 each in a bid to ease their financial burden during the Covid-19 crisis.
Online registration opened on January 29, while people who do not have internet access or a smartphone can register at Krungthai Bank nationwide, starting from February 15.
On Monday Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged the Finance Ministry to extend the registration period of the campaign for people who do not have a smartphone, after learning that Krungthai Bank branches nationwide were crowded with people waiting to register for benefits under the campaign, especially the elderly.
“With the deadline extended, there is no need to hurry, and crowd the branches, risking the spreading of Covid-19,” said the bank.
“You can register at any of the 1,023 branches of Krungthai Bank nationwide until March 5, while the bank has also set up additional registration booths at 871 locations, which can be checked at www.krungthai.com or telephone: 02-111-1144.”
KTB added that it would hire college students as temporary staff to facilitate registration in crowded areas, while queue cards will be issued as per maximum number of registrants each branch can handle each day. Those whose turn does not come on a particular day, can return the next day.
By THE NATIONA Cabinet meeting on Monday approved the wage range of 13 technical professions in three industrial groups, Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.
As proposed by the Ministry of Labour’s National Wage Committee, these technical professions and their wages are:
Industrial technicians
– Lathing staff Bt460-Bt630 per day
– CNC machine operator Bt470-Bt675 per day
– Wirecut machine operator Bt480 per day
– Manual metal arc welder Bt465-Bt630 per day
Electrician, electronics and computer technicians
– Exterior electrician and telecom staff (microwave and satellite) Bt450 per day
– PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) staff Bt450-Bt540 per day
– Electrician for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) industry Bt440 per day
– Solar cell installer Bt450 per day
Mechanical technicians
– Forklift operator Bt430 per day
– Wheel alignment staff and motorcycle mechanic Bt415 per day
“The approved wage range will be effective within 90 days after it is announced in the Royal Gazette,” said Anucha.
A weak high-pressure covers the upper Northeast and the South China Sea while the southerly and the southeasterly winds prevail over the North, the lower Northeast, the Central and the East, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
Cool weather with morning fog and isolated light rains are likely over upper Thailand. All vehicles should move with caution due to poor visibility, the department said.
Meanwhile, the weak northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South, resulting in less rain in the South.
The department also said that during February 17-20, another strong high pressure from China will extend to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea, brining isolated thundershowers with gusty winds to the areas, along with 2-4 degrees Celsius drop in temperature.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 15-20 degrees Celsius and highs of 32-37°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-14°C.
Northeast: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 18-21°C, highs of 33-35°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 9-15°C.
Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated light rain; temperature lows of 21-23°C, highs of 34-36°C.
East: Fog in the morning with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves less than a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.
South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-24°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-23°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves less than a metre high and a metre offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Fog in the morning and isolated light rain; temperature lows of 23-27°C, highs of 33-35°C.
Kanchanaburi’s ‘soda fountain’ produces top-quality mineral water: DGR
NationalFeb 16. 2021Sakda Vicheansil, director-general of the Department of Groundwater Resources, enjoys a glass of filtered natural carbonated water from Kanchanaburi’s natural ‘soda fountain’.
By The Nation
The Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR) confirmed on Monday that the carbonated water from the recently discovered “soda fountain” in Kanchanaburi is drinkable and that the 500,000-cubic metre fountain may help ease drought problems in the area.
Sakda Vicheansil, DGR director-general, said the fountain in Huay Krajao district produces the same quality of mineral water like that found in renowned places in Germany and France. Hence, he said, DGR is getting ready to install a filter to reduce iron content, so people can consume the water straight from the source.
He said the department had submitted samples for laboratory tests and learned the water has no contaminants or toxic substances and can be freely consumed.
Tests also found that the minerals in the water match those present in other famous mineral water sources, including up to 2,500 milligrams per litre of bicarbonate, 1.5mg/litre of fluoride and high levels of natural iron which can be filtered out.
DGR is planning to put the area under the Groundwater Act 1977 and is also looking for ways of distributing the water to nearby villages experiencing drought. DGR also believes this will ease the problem of illegal drilling for groundwater.
He added that according to the Subdistrict Administration Organisation, the price of land near the “soda fountain” has shot up.
The number of foreign arrivals in Phuket went from an all-time high of over 5.3 million in 2019 to just over one million in 2020, marking a drop of 80 per cent as the airport remained closed to curb the spread of Covid-19, said Carlos Martinez, director of research and consultancy at Knight Frank Thailand.
As a result, hotel occupancy rates plummeted and some operators temporarily suspended operations, while others offered discounts and promotions for domestic visitors.
To offset the lack of foreign visitors, the government launched a plan on July 15 to encourage domestic travel, by providing a 40 per cent subsidy on hotel expenses and airfares. Despite that, domestic arrivals in Phuket was down by 64 per cent year-on-year in 2020.
Supply and Demand
Up to 24 per cent of luxury and upscale hotels are based on Patong beach, followed by 15 per cent in Karon, 14 per cent in Bang Tao, 13 per cent in Kata and 10 per cent in Kamala. In the second half of 2020, no luxury or upscale hotels in Phuket were open, with 22,824 hotel rooms unoccupied.
As international travel restrictions continued, the occupancy rate of luxury and upscale hotels in Phuket dropped further in the second half of the year to 14 per cent. The overall occupancy rate for 2020 fell 34 percentage points YoY to 26 per cent.
The temporary closure of the Phuket International airport from April to September 2020, resulted in the lowest level of hotel occupancy forcing some hotel operators to suspend their operations.
The average daily rate (ADR) of luxury and upscale hotels fell 7 per cent YoY to Bt3,750 – a record low over the past few years.
Outlook
Phuket has been one of the hardest-hit destinations in Thailand in 2020. In April, the government ordered temporary mass hotel closures as the province was hit by a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases. The Phuket International Airport reopened for domestic arrivals in June 2020, after a two-month closure due to the pandemic. In the second half of 2020, the airport only recorded 775,118 domestic passenger arrivals, a 57 per cent YoY decline. Also, the average length of stay of domestic tourists was less than half that of foreign tourists, averaging just 1.8 days, a weak contribution to hotel occupancy levels.
Overall, average occupancy rate for luxury and upscale hotels in Phuket is expected to remain below 25 per cent, and the ADR is expected to remain low in the first half of 2021.
The outlook for 2021 is not promising, as the second Covid-19 wave at the beginning of the year prompted the government to impose further travel restrictions. With the Chinese government still restricting departures, the hotel business in Phuket is expected to continue suffering.
Betong Airport
Sakda Vicheansil, director-general of the Department of Groundwater Resources, enjoys a glass of filtered natural carbonated water from Kanchanaburi’s natural ‘soda fountain’.
Phuket
