Tag Archives: The Nation

Hun Sen explains why his wife will be absent from upcoming Asean summit

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Hun Sen explains why his wife will be absent from upcoming Asean summit

Hun Sen explains why his wife will be absent from upcoming Asean summit

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2022

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an apology, saying his wife Bun Rany will not be receiving the spouses of Asean leaders at the summit next week.

In a social media post on Sunday morning, Hun said: “There have been a lot of doubts regarding the absence of my wife at major events lately and during the coming Asean Summit. My wife has health problems related to her spine and the doctor has instructed her not to sit for too long.

“I would like to apologise to the spouses of the heads of state and governments of all countries that will come to Cambodia in the coming days that my wife will be unable to welcome you as she is receiving medical treatment,” he said.

The Asean Summit and related meetings will begin on November 8 and continue until November 13 in Phnom Penh.

World leaders like US president Joe Biden, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and many others have confirmed their attendance at the annual diplomatic forum, which will bring them together with leaders from Asean member states.

The Phnom Penh Post

Asia News Network

Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia

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Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia

Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2022

A derelict city-centre car park in Seoul has been transformed into a helter-skelter arts museum, blazing a trail for urban regeneration in Asia.

The spiral ramp leading to the rooftop car park of the former Seoul Railway Station now flashes with vivid colours of various fluorescent installations. At the hollow centre of the ramp stands a giant, blue sculpture resembling a rotating galaxy.

Dubbed “Docking Seoul”, the once-abandoned architecture right in the centre of the capital has been turned into a unique cultural space with immersive art experiences.

The ramp closed in 2004 when Seoul’s new railway station, built to accommodate KTX bullet trains, opened.

Last year, the Seoul government finally decided to give the abandoned structure a new lease of life.

For the renovation project, the city partnered with local artists and Hanwha Engineering & Construction.

As visitors walk up or down the spiral ramp, they are led into five different sections with a total of seven eye-catching installations.

Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia
Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia
Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia
Seoul lights spiral way to urban regeneration in Asia

The first two sections near the entrance feature two circular digital installations shaped like spaceship windows. Created by artist Yang Jeong-wok and dubbed “Moving Daily Life”, the portals reveal images of building or factory interiors that change or move when viewed from different angles.

Visitors who wander to the ground floor are confronted by a 5.2-metre-long blue vortex created by local artist Chung So-young. Named “Deep Surface”, its spiral shape suggests a galaxy’s birth while large rings above conjure up the image of a halo.

Walk to the top floor and you encounter a glowing metal artwork called “Net of Life”, created by Kim Ju-hyeon. Iron pipes are stacked together, illuminated by yellow light. The artwork reflects the links between individuals and society, as if intertwined in a huge net, the artist explains.

“Docking Seoul” opened to the public on October 18. The name was inspired by its old function as a channel for traffic to Seoul Station, which serves as a gateway to the capital.

“The building’s old industrial interior design is well preserved, but with the addition of modern artworks and lighting. It creates a unique atmosphere,” said Cho Eun-ji, a 32-year-old office worker who visited the place on a recent Wednesday.

Visitors can find the entrance to Docking Seoul at the end of Seoullo 7017, an overpass-turned-sky garden. The ramp is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-8pm. Admission is free.

The Korea Herald

Asia News Network

Base price will stop foreigners using proxies to grab Thai land: TREA

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Base price will stop foreigners using proxies to grab Thai land: TREA

Base price will stop foreigners using proxies to grab Thai land: TREA

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2022

The Thai Real Estate Association (TREA) said it will meet with the prime minister to propose ways of stopping foreigners from abusing the new law permitting them to buy Thai land.

The Cabinet approved the directive permitting foreigners to buy land on October 25. The move is aimed at attracting investment to boost the economy.

The directive allows foreigners to purchase property and up to one rai (1,600 square metres) of land if they invest at least 40 million baht for a minimum of three years. To be eligible, they must also qualify for the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa.

The policy has sparked fierce public and political opposition, with critics accusing the government of putting the country up for sale. It has responded by promising to revise the draft.

TREA president Meesak Chunharakchot said on Monday he will meet with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday (November 10) to present the association’s opinions on the draft.

Measures must be set to deter foreigners from using nominees to buy land next to their one-rai plots and stitching it into larger plots, said Meesak.

One way to do this would be to set a minimum price of land for foreigners, he said.

For land plots up to 50 square wah (200sqm), he suggested a minimum price of 5 million baht in Greater Bangkok and 3 million baht in other provinces. For 51-100sqw, he said it should be 10 million baht and 8 million baht; for 101-200sqw it should be 50 million baht and 20 million baht; and for 201sqw to 1 rai, 100 million baht in Greater Bangkok and 30 million baht in the provinces.

For properties in residential projects, foreign owners should have half the rights of Thais according to area owned when it came to voting on matters related to the project, said Meesak.

The new law should also require evidence that the money used to buy properties in Thailand comes from legal financial institutions, he added.

Related Stories

LTR, 40m baht investment necessary for foreigners to buy land in Thailand: govt

Thai govt pays heed to critics, revising rules on selling land to foreigners

‘We can explain’, says Thai PM as outcry over land for foreigners gets louder

Thailand’s trade deficit with Saudi Arabia hits THB166.91 billion in first 9 months

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Thailand's trade deficit with Saudi Arabia hits THB166.91 billion in first 9 months

Thailand’s trade deficit with Saudi Arabia hits THB166.91 billion in first 9 months

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2022

Thailand’s trade deficit with Saudi Arabia has risen to 166.91 billion baht in the first nine months of this year mainly due to rising oil prices, the Commerce Ministry said.

The statement from the ministry’s permanent secretariat issued recently said bilateral trade between the two kingdoms has risen a lot since ties were normalised for the first time in 32 years this year.

Bilateral relations had soured in 1989 over the Blue Diamond Affair when a Thai janitor stole around US$20 million worth of jewels from a Saudi prince.

However, diplomatic ties were restored in January and bilateral trade picked up almost immediately.

The first nine months of the year saw 265.29 billion baht worth of business between the two countries, marking a 65.52% surge from the same period last year.

Thailand’s exports to Saudi Arabia accounted for 49.19 billion baht, marking an increase of 29.83%, but imports from the Middle East came in at 216.10 billion baht, up 76.57% year-on-year.

According to the Commerce Ministry, the top five imports from Saudi Arabia in the January-September period this year are:

• Crude oil: 153.693 billion baht (+70.66%)

• Fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides: 19.198 billion baht (+125.83%)

• Refined oil: 15.106 billion baht (+130.50%)

• Chemicals: 14.476 billion baht (+7.96%)

• Natural gas: 6.53 billion baht (+3.02%).

The top five exports to Saudi Arabia in the first nine months are:

• Vehicles, parts, accessories: 24.252 billion baht (+45.88%)

• Wood, wood products: 4.869 billion baht (+20.11%)

• Rubber products: 2.96 billion baht (+32.82%)

• Canned and processed seafood: 2.39 billion baht (+11.34%)

• Air-conditioners, parts: 1.803 billion baht (+3.67%).

Related stories:

Thailand to import another 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Saudi Arabia

Commerce Ministry takes steps to flood Saudi Arabia with Thai exports

SEC officials visit Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority

Thailand’s rice exports boom, Iraq emerges as largest customer

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Thailand’s rice exports boom, Iraq emerges as largest customer

Thailand’s rice exports boom, Iraq emerges as largest customer

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2022

Iraq has become the world’s largest export market for Thai rice, after shipments in the first nine months soared 511 per cent to 15.405 billion baht, the Commerce Ministry said.

Global exports of Thai rice from January to September surged 40% from last year to 5.41 million tonnes, with earnings rising 36% to 95.232 billion baht, the ministry said.

Thailand is now the world’s second-largest rice exporter after India.

The top five export markets for Thai rice in the first nine months were:

– Iraq with exports worth 15.405 billion baht (up 511%)

– United States, 14.029 billion baht (up 29%)

– South Africa, 8.017 billion baht (down 3%)

– China, 7.439 billion baht (up 30%)

– Hong Kong, 3.56 billion baht (up 1.6%).

Thailand’s rice exports boom, Iraq emerges as largest customerThe Rice Exporters Association of Thailand forecasts the country will export between 7 million and 8 million tonnes of rice this year as the weakening baht boosts competitiveness over India and Vietnam.

Iraq has returned to buying Thai rice in large quantities for the first time in seven years, with over one million tonnes purchased so far this year, the association said.

Meanwhile Phuket will host the 14th World Rice Conference from November 15 to 17, with Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit scheduled to give the opening speech.

Thailand’s foreign trade agencies will be at the conference to showcase the country’s potential as a rice exporter.

Majority of Northerners want Thaksin’s daughter as next PM: survey

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Majority of Northerners want Thaksin’s daughter as next PM: survey

Majority of Northerners want Thaksin’s daughter as next PM: survey

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2022

Voters in the North have joined Thais in the Northeast in picking former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter as their preferred next prime minister, according to a National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll) survey.

The October 28-November 2 survey was conducted among 2,000 voters from various occupations, education backgrounds and income levels living across the North.

Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who leads the Pheu Thai Family Programme, topped the choices for next PM with 31.70%. That figure is slightly lower than the 36.45% of Northeasterners who favoured Paetongtarn.

Northerners were less keen on Prayut Chan-o-cha serving a third term as PM since coming to power in the 2014 coup, with only 12.5% giving him the nod.

Asked who they wanted to become the next PM, Northern respondents answered as follows:

• 31.70% said Paetongtarn Shinawatra

• 15% said Pita Limjaroenrat (Move Forward Party leader)

• 12.65% said they were undecided

• 12.50% said PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

• 6.55% said Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan (Thai Sang Thai Party leader)

• 6.20% said Sereepisuth Temeeyaves (Thai Liberal Party leader)

• 3.85% said Cholnan Srikaew (Pheu Thai Party leader)

• 2.5% said Korn Chatikavanij (Chart Pattana Kla Party leader)

• 2% said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (Bhumjaithai Party leader)

• 1.85% gave no answer or did not care

• 1.10% said Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit (Democrat Party leader)

• 1.05% said Somkid Jatusripitak (Sang Anakhot Thai Party’s tentative PM candidate)

• 3.05% said others, including Deputy PM and Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan and Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt

Pheu Thai topped the list of parties to vote for in both the constituency and party-list ballots at the next general election with 48.7% and 48.75% respectively. Northeasteners also favoured Pheu Thai, but by even bigger margins of 54.35% and 51.40% respectively.

Asked which party they would vote for in constituency elections, Northerners answered as follows:

• 48.70% said Pheu Thai

• 16.40% said Move Forward

• 10.40% were undecided

• 8.05% said Palang Pracharath

• 5.45% said the Democrats

• 2.50% said Thai Liberal Party

• 2.20% Bhumjaithai

• 2.05% Thai Sang Thai

• 4.25% said other parties including Chart Pattana Kla, Chart Thai Pattana and Sang Anakhot Thai

Asked which party they would vote for in party-list elections:

• 48.75% said Pheu Thai

• 16.15% said Move Forward

• 11.55% were undecided

• 7.20% said Palang Pracharath

• 4.75% said the Democrats

• 2.85% said Thai Liberal

• 2.25% said Bhumjaithai

• 1.90% said Thai Sang Thai Party

• 4.60% said other parties, including Chart Pattana Kla, Chart Thai Pattana and Sang Anakhot Thai

Related stories:

Bangkok Omicron rate rising as people ignore vaccination: lung expert

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Bangkok Omicron rate rising as people ignore vaccination: lung expert

Bangkok Omicron rate rising as people ignore vaccination: lung expert

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2022

A respiratory diseases expert on Monday urged people to keep getting vaccinated, warning that his hospital had seen an alarming rise in Covid-19 Omicron cases.

Manoon Leechawengwongs, a pulmonologist at Vichaiyut Hospital, wrote on Facebook that Omicron infections registered at the central Bangkok hospital rose from 778 in September to 986 in October.

Manoon cited the figures to warn people – especially those not fully inoculated with two jabs and a booster – to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible.

He said Omicron cases seen in October included healthy young people who had not bothered to get fully vaccinated. These unprotected people risked developing lung infections and being admitted to the intensive care unit despite treatment with Molnupiravir antivirals, he added.

In contrast, the hospital found that people who were fully vaccinated with at least three doses suffered only mild symptoms after being infected with Omicron, said Manoon.

“I would like to urge everyone to get at least three shots of Covid vaccine and then get a booster every four months,” the doctor wrote.

‘Super blood moon’ to light Thailand for Loy Krathong tomorrow

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‘Super blood moon’ to light Thailand for Loy Krathong tomorrow

‘Super blood moon’ to light Thailand for Loy Krathong tomorrow

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2022

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) has urged people in Thailand to look to the skies tomorrow evening when a dramatic “super blood moon” will grace Loy Krathong night.

The Narit said the moon will turn a deep shade of red as it is eclipsed fully by the Earth’s shadow from 5.44pm to 6.41pm on Tuesday – 57 minutes in total.

The Narit said the eclipse event will start at 3.02pm and end at 8.56pm in Thailand and will also be visible in many other parts of the world.‘Super blood moon’ to light Thailand for Loy Krathong tomorrow

To observe the eclipse, people should observe the eastern horizon where they will see the moon turn brick-red from 5.44pm, Narit said.

Thailand will have to wait another three years for the next total lunar eclipse, on September 8, 2025.‘Super blood moon’ to light Thailand for Loy Krathong tomorrow

Narit has invited Loy Krathong revellers to dress in traditional Thai costume and watch the phenomenon at four national observatories:

– Sirindhorn Astronomical Park in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district

– Chalermphrakiart Observatory in Nakhon Ratchasima

– Chalermphrakiart Observatory in Chachoengsao

– Chalermphrakiart Observatory in Songkhla.

The four observatories will hold lunar eclipse activities from 6pm to 10pm.

Samsen Road new Bangkok traffic congestion hotspot from Wednesday

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Samsen Road new Bangkok traffic congestion hotspot from Wednesday

Samsen Road new Bangkok traffic congestion hotspot from Wednesday

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2022

Bangkok’s Samsen Road will become a new congestion hotspot from Wednesday (November 9), when it will be reduced to three lanes.

The road will be narrowed until December 15 to make way for construction of the MRT Purple Line southern extension from Tao Poon to Rat Burana, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) said on Sunday.

“This move will reduce traffic on the side heading to Sanghi Intersection to two lanes and the side heading to Vajira Intersection to one lane,” said the MRTA.

It warned the move would bring inconvenience for motorists and construction noise for local residents.

CKST-PL Joint Venture, which is responsible for the construction from Tao Poon to the National Library, will reduce lanes from Samsen police station to Sanghi Intersection to make way for construction of Vajira Hospital Station.

The Purple Line southern extension will ferry commuters between central Bangkok and Samut Prakan. The Purple Line also interlinks with the new national rail hub of Bang Sue Grand Station.

The extension will run south from the riverside Parliament House (Sappaya-Sapasathan) along a 17-station route including Vajira Hospital, the National Library of Thailand, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and Phra Pradaeng intersection in Samut Prakan.

Leading real estate firm DDproperty expects the line to boost property prices along the route once construction is completed in 2027.

Related stories:

New bridge over Chao Phraya to slash Bangkok traffic jams from next year

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New bridge over Chao Phraya to slash Bangkok traffic jams from next year

New bridge over Chao Phraya to slash Bangkok traffic jams from next year

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2022

A new bridge over the Chao Phraya River will open next year to improve traffic flow in busy Bangkok, said the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat).

The Rama III-Dao Khanong Expressway bridge will run parallel to the Rama IX cable-stayed bridge built in 1987 and will connect with the Sirat Expressway at the Rama IX-Chaengwattana exit. It is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023.

The new bridge will stretch 450 metres over the river, suspended from 152 cables attached to two giant H-shaped pylons. Dozens of the cables have already been attached as the bridge slowly rises over Bangkok’s River of Kings.

The construction contract awarded to Ch Karnchang Pcl covers the bridge and its eight-lane road running 2 kilometres. Exat said construction work is progressing slightly faster than the scheduled 2023 completion.

The bridge is part of the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok outer ring road project valued at 30 billion baht and covering a distance of 18.7km.

Once the bridge is complete, Exat will complete the project by building a 5km, six-lane elevated road to link the new bridge with the Bang Pakok Hospital-Doa Khanong checkpoint.

The connecting road is expected to be completed in November 2024, although the new bridge will open for public use immediately after it is completed to relieve traffic congestion on Rama IX bridge.

Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk said the whole Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok outer ring road will open in late 2024 free of charge for a certain period, before Exat implements a toll collection system.

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