Super Typhoon Nanmadol Bears Down On Southern Japan
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
Typhoon Nanmadol Bore Down On Japan’s Southernmost Main Island Of Kyushu On Sunday With The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Warning Of Gales And High Waves “Never Experienced Before”.
Footage from TV Tokyo footage from Saturday, saw heavy rainfall and strong winds hitting Amami Oshima as the super typhoon approached the southern Japanese island.
The 14th typhoon of the season, classified as a super typhoon by the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, could bring record rainfall, the JMA said, warning of the risk of rivers overflowing and landslides.
The storm is forecast to curve east and pass over Japan’s main island of Honshu early next week before moving out to sea by Wednesday.
Easing Visa Restrictions May Bring Thailand Closer To Tourism Target
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
THE NATION
Thailand’s Tourism Industry May Not Achieve The 1.5-Trillion-Baht Revenue Target That The Tourism And Sports Ministry Had Set For This Year.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that the ministry recently adjusted the tourism target to 1.08 trillion baht based on the current trend of tourists. This would be equivalent to 6 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He expects Thailand to welcome 10 million foreign tourists this year, while local tourists are expected to make some 120 million trips.
Foreign arrivals will generate 670 billion baht in revenue, while 410 billion baht will come from Thai tourists, he said.
“As of September 17, Thailand has welcomed 5.43 million foreign tourists,” Phiphat said. “We estimate there will be some 1.5 million foreign arrivals each month in the last quarter of this year, which will help meet the target of 10 million tourists.”
The ministry initially set a target of 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue for this year but adjusted it down to 1.2 trillion baht mid-year after realising that there were far few bookings from far-flung countries.
In the last quarter, the following measures are expected to attract more foreigners: reduction of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa fee from 100,000 baht to 50,000 baht, extending visa on arrival from 15 days to 30 days and allowing visitors from visa-exempt countries to stay for 45 days instead of 30 days.
Shellfish Lottery: How To Tell If That Pearl On Your Plate Is Worth Millions?
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Ever Started Munching On Your Dinner Only To Find A Precious Pearl Gleaming On The Plate? Thailand’s So-Called Shellfish Lottery Produces New Winners Every Day – But Only A Few Of The “Prizes” Are Worth Millions.
Social media reports of diners finding valuable Melo pearls among their meals have gone viral on social media recently.
A high-quality Melo pearl is typically worth over US$75,000 (over 2.7 million baht) at auction, according to the Pearlwise website.
Photos of Thai diners’ finds show pearls in all sizes and colours discovered in a variety of different shells.
However, experts have now poured cold water on many of the claims.
Rare and precious Melo pearls are not found in mussels, spotted Babylon snails or golden apple snails, the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT) said on Monday.
GIT director Sumed Prasongpongchai said Melo pearls are only found in the bailer shells of Melo snails. Pearls discovered in mussels and other snails are far less valuable.
Demand for Melo pearls is high because, unlike mussels and oysters, Melo snails cannot be farmed for pearl production. However, natural Melo pearls are so rare that there is no valuation standard for these precious gemstones.
Last year, Thai truck driver Monthian Jansuk, 40, found a rare orange Melo pearl inside a 50-baht bag of snails he bought from his local market in Chonburi. After the GIT confirmed it was genuine, Monthian sold the pearl for 1.2 million baht. However, that price was thought to be only one-third of the pearl’s true value.
The most valuable Melo pearls are coloured orange with clear flame-like streaks, said Sumed.
“The more streaks, the more precious and expensive the Melo pearl will be,” he added.
He advised people to send any pearls they find in their meals to the GIT. The institute will verify whether the find is a precious Melo or another kind of pearl.
Exat To Seek Cabinet Green Light For Bangkok-Saraburi Expressway This Year
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
The Expressway Authority Of Thailand (Exat) Said It Will Seek Cabinet Approval For The First Phase Of An Expressway Linking Saraburi With Metropolitan Bangkok Late This Year.
The Chalong Rat-Nakhon Nayok expressway is expected to open in 2025.
Exat will hold the second hearing on its elevated section from Bangkok’s Chatu Chot Road in Sai Mai district to the third Bangkok ring road (MR10) before sending the project to Cabinet.
Exat said the project has been modified to link the MR10 with the Kanchanaburi-Sa Kaew motorway (MR 6) in line with the Transport Ministry’s Motorway-Rail (MR) development plan.
The rerouted project needs a redesign and a new environmental impact assessment (EIA) study, Exat said.
It added that the new EIA study covering a two-kilometre section is 40-per-cent complete and should be finalised by early next year, ahead of the May 25 deadline.
“We aim to present the project for Cabinet for approval late this year,” said an Exat source, citing faster-than-expected progress.
Exat expects construction of the first phase to start next year and be completed in 2025.
The budget for the 17km section from Chatu Chote to Lam Lukka has been set at 19 billion baht.
The new road will run from the Chatu Chote gateway via the Kanchanapisek ring road (M9) and Hathai Rat road before ending at Lam Luakka between Klong 9 and Klong 10 in Nakhon Nayok.
The six-lane road – three lanes in each direction – will be equipped with five gates and five exits.
Thaksin Lists 10 ‘Lost Opportunities’ For Thailand On Anniversary Of 2006 Coup
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Said On Monday He Had Been “Stabbed In The Back” By Supposedly Professional Soldiers Whose Coup 19 Years Ago Had Cost Thailand The Chance To Develop.
Posting on Facebook on the anniversary of the 2006 military takeover led by then Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, Thaksin issued a list of opportunities he said Thailand had lost due to the coup.
“I was stealthily bitten from behind by those who called themselves professional soldiers,” he wrote of the coup, which occurred while he was attending the UN general assembly in New York.
“I regret the country losing positive things that should have happened but instead eventually turned into negatives,” Thaksin wrote.
He listed 10 pillars of progress Thailand lost because of the 2006 coup as:
– Democratic rule under the so-called people’s constitution of 1997. “These days, we are under a charter that was written to extend the coup-makers dictatorial powers,” he wrote of the 2017 Constitution written under the junta regime.
– Reputation of the country and trust in the eyes of the international community.
– Development of education, technology, agriculture and industry.
– Eradication of poverty. “There should have been no more poor people in Thailand.”
– Opportunities for Thais. “Now, Thais don’t see a [better] future. They simply work and live for today. Their income is lower than other nations at the same development level.”
– Suvarnabhumi Airport becoming an international aviation hub. “Given our geopolitical position, we should have been at the centre of Asean.”
– Thai children free from narcotics. “Now, drugs can be bought more easily than chewing gum.”
– Protection against floods. “The country has suffered repeated flooding because the government failed to manage water resources systematically.”
– A modern Thai bureaucracy. “Now, the people have to plead with officials for services.”
– A country freed from debt. “Thailand is having to borrow more money because of mismanagement, meaning the public debt ceiling had to be raised. Household debts have risen so high that people are struggling to make repayments.”
Thaksin added that the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, also a coup leader, did not know how to earn revenue for the country. Prayut staged the 2014 putsch against the elected administration of Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
“I’ve told you that soldiers are like chief security guards with a duty to guard assets and maintain security. They should not be CEOs or national administrators as they only know how to spend money, not earn it,” Thaksin wrote.
He also urged Thais to support democracy and stand up against all forms of dictatorship.
“This will help our children see a future and choose their own paths,” he wrote.
“I am now 73 years old but I cannot help worrying about the future of our country and our children.”
He also expressed hope of being able to return to Thailand to take care of his grandchildren and share his knowledge with society.
Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 to escape a corruption ruling and has lived in exile ever since. A controversial 2013 amnesty bill that would have paved the way for his return instead triggered street protests which culminated in the 2014 coup against Yingluck’s government.
No Severe Threat Of Flooding As Dams Still Not Full, Says Irrigation Dept
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
THE NATION
Thailand Can Handle Heavy Rains Brought By The Monsoon Trough This Week Because Its Dams Can Accommodate An Additional 23.5 Billion Cubic Metres Of Water.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) also said it has implemented several measures to minimise the risk of flooding.
Deputy director-general Thaweesak Thanadechophol said on Monday that the 35 large dams and 412 medium-sized dams across the country are still within the safe level of 52.5 billion cubic metres. This means they can hold another 23.5 billion cubic metres.
For instance, he said, dams and reservoirs in the North are at 63 per cent of capacity and can receive another 9.4 billion cubic metres.
“The department has implemented measures like increasing the water discharge rate during low tide and unblocking waterways to maximise drainage capacity to minimise the risk of floods,” he said.
Thaweesak was referring to the Thai Meteorological Department’s forecast that a monsoon trough will bring isolated heavy to very heavy rain to the North, Northeast, Central region including Greater Bangkok, the East and the South from Wednesday to Sunday.
Thaweesak said RID will continue monitoring the water and weather patterns closely and will alert downstream communities in advance if the discharge rate will be increased. Farmers suffering from floods due to the release of water can call the 1460 hotline or their local irrigation office.
Arkhom Tells SEC To Work On Fixing Legal Loopholes, Prevent Forex Scams
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith Said On Monday That He Had Instructed The Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) To Work With The Bank Of Thailand (BOT) To Tackle Legal Loopholes So That Investors Will Not Fall Prey To Forex Scams.
Arkhom assured that he was not ignoring the plight of the victims of the Forex-3D online Ponzi fraud. He said he has instructed the SEC to coordinate with the BOT on the issue.
He said the two agencies were taking action in line with their respective jurisdictions.
Arkhom added that the central bank had also made moves to warn the public against being lured by forex scams.
Some 9,000 complaints have been registered so far with the Department of Special Investigation, regarding losses of about 2 billion baht after investing in the Forex-3D scheme.
On Monday, the SEC explained that it has no authority to supervise foreign currency exchange as the power belongs to the central bank.
“The law has some loopholes. It’s wrong to trade foreign currencies without a licence. Foreign currency traders must receive a licence signed by the finance minister,” Arkhom said.
“The central bank must nominate the names of licensees for the finance minister to approve.”
He said Forex-3D had not received any licence to trade in foreign currencies, however some legal loopholes are preventing the SEC from taking action.
“So, I have instructed the SEC to consult with the BOT to find out which points are not covered by the law so that the law can be amended accordingly and give the SEC supervisory powers.”
He said the legal amendments might allow the SEC to supervise foreign currency trading by non-banks.
“We’re now making preparations to amend the concerned law,” Arkhom added.
4 Bangkok Cabbies Land Themselves In Trouble As Tourist Police Launches Crackdown
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Tourist Police Launched A Crackdown Against Bad Bangkok Cabbies On Monday And Immediately Arrested Four For Violating The Law.
The clampdown on taxi drivers has been launched to protect both passengers and Thailand’s reputation, Tourist Police spokesman Pol Maj-General Apichat Suriboonya said.
He added that the 1155 Tourist Police hotline has recently received a spate of complaints, with many Bangkokians saying they were left stranded in the rain because cabbies refused them.
Apichat said this “lack of professionalism” is damaging Thailand’s reputation and undermining its competitiveness in the global tourism market.
On Monday, four cabbies were arrested – two on Khao San Road and two near Siam Square shopping complex in the centre of Bangkok.
Of the cabbies caught in Khao San, one refused to take passengers, while the other demanded a higher fare and refused to use the metre. The two taxi drivers near Siam Square were arrested for refusing passengers.
All four reported admitted to the allegations and paid fines.
“All Tourist Police units have been tasked with closely monitoring taxi drivers to ensure they follow the law and do not take advantage of passengers,” Apichat said. “Offences such as refusing passengers, refusing to use the metre, overcharging and leaving passengers stranded will result in the highest punishment by law.”
KNLONGTNA? Bangkok Commuters Puzzle Over Bus Destination Typos
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Bangkok Commuters And Tourists Have Been Left Confused – And Amused – By Destination Names Appearing On The Signboard Of The No 60 Bus.
Photos of typos in the English spellings on the No 60 signboard have gone viral after they were posted by the Rotmaethai Facebook page.
The No 60 typos include “Bangpi” for Bang Kapi, “BAMKHAMHACNG” for Ramkhamhaeng University and “KNLONGTNA” for Klong Tan. Passengers waiting at bus stops are also puzzling over signs for “PRATUNA” (Pratunam) and “PAKKNLONG” Pakklongtalad.
The Rotmaethai page urged the bus operator, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, to correct the signs immediately to ensure that passengers can understand where the bus is going.
Sino-Thai Digital Cooperation ‘To Play Key Role In Sustainable Development’
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Digital Cooperation With China Would Lead To Sustainable Development Of The Two Countries, Thailand’s Digital Economy And Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn Said On Friday.
He was speaking in a pre-recorded video message that was played during the opening ceremony of the 5th China-Asean Information Harbour Forum in Nanning, the capital of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China on Friday.
In the video message, Chaiwut congratulated the organisers for holding the event, which he said would be a venue for exchanging information on digital technologies as well as a venue for cooperation between China and Asean nations on technologies and digital economy developments.
Chaiwut said Thailand was steering towards a digital economy with its policies and the 20-year national development plan for creating digital infrastructure and digital safety for the public.
He added the the development plans would transform Thailand into a digital economy with sustainability.
“I would like to hereby stress that digital economy cooperation between Thailand and China would be a new driving force for sustainable development of the two countries,” Chaiwut said.
On Saturday, Chaiwut also sent a video message to participate in the opening ceremony of the China-Asean Silk Road e-Commerce Forum 2022, which was the 19th China-Asean Trade Fair, also in Nanning.
In his video message, Chaiwut said the application of digital technologies had helped Thailand survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also pledged cooperation with other Asean nations and China to develop a good digital ecosystem that would help Asean and China benefit from sustainable e-commerce trade in the future.
“I would like to hereby stress that digital economy cooperation between Thailand and China would be a new driving force for sustainable development of the two countries,” Chaiwut said.
